Abstract:

Background: Depression is the fourth leading cause of disease burden worldwide. Hence it is no surprise the depression has a significant prevalence in the workplace and a significant impact on vocational functioning. People who experience depression doubt their ability or appear less confident, have a hard time concentrating, learning and making decisions when they are supposed to. Illicit drug use is an important contributor to the global burden of disease. Most adults who have problems with alcohol or drug use are in the workforce. This results in higher absenteeism, lower job productivity and performance, greater health care expenses for injuries and illnesses as well as failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home.

Aim: This study aims to determining the prevalence and correlates of depression and substance use at work place.

Method: Cross section study was used, where a total of 300 teachers from private and public primary and secondary schools in Mwanza city were recruited.

Results: Among the 300 teachers, 60.67% were from primary schools and 39.33% were from secondary schools, with majority 55.67% being public schools and 44.33% (n=133) from private schools. And majority of the participants (52%) were females while male participants were 48%. Prevalence of depression among the recruited teachers was 51%, the severity of depression among the recruited teachers were found to be 26.67% had mild depression, 12.00% had moderate depression, 8% had moderate-severe depression, and 4.33% had severe depression while 49.00% had no depression. On associating the alcohol use behavior and depression there was a significant association between harmful alcohol uses (OR 2.42, 95% CL: 1.3, 4.6, P value 0.009) with those on harmful alcohol use on the high risk of getting depression.

Conclusion: From this research study there is a high prevalence of depression and substance use especially alcohol at working place among teachers in Mwanza City. Mental health education and awareness should be given to the teachers and their employers hence to provide them with emotional, psychological, physical and occupational support at work place.