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Table 1 Tanzanian responses to DAQ

From: Knowledge, attitudes and practice pertaining to depression among primary health care workers in Tanzania

DAQ question

Disagree N (%)

Agree N (%)

Dont' know N (%)

During the last 5 years I have seen an increase in the number of patients presenting with depressive symptoms

1 (7.1)

13 (92.9)

0 (0)

The majority of depression we see originated from recent misfortune

3 (21.4)

10 (71.4)

1 (7.1)

Most depressive disorders improve without medication

6 (42.8)

7 (50)

1 (7.1)

Biochemical abnormality is at the basis of more severe depression

5 (35.7)

9 (64.3)

0 (0)

Difficult to differentiate unhappiness or a clinical depressive disorder that needs treatment

9 (64.3)

4 (28.6)

1 (7.1)

It is possible to distinguish two groups of depression, one psychological in origin and the other caused by biochemical mechanisms

3 (21.4)

11 (78.6)

0 (0)

Becoming depressed is a way that people with poor stamina deal with life difficulties

5 (35.7)

9 (64.3)

0 (0)

Depressed patients are more likely to have experienced deprivation in early life than other people

8 (57.1)

4 (28.6)

2 (14.3)

I feel comfortable dealing with depressed patients

1 (7.1)

13 (92.9)

0 (0)

Depression reflects a characteristic response which is not amenable to change

9 (64.3)

3 (21.4)

2 (14.3)

Becoming depressed is a natural part of becoming old

9 (64.3)

5 (35.7)

0 (0)

The primary health care worker could be a useful person to support depressed patients

3 (21.4)

11 (78.6)

0 (0)

Working with depressed patients is heavy going

5 (35.7)

8 (57.1)

1 (7.1)

There is little to be offered to depressed patients who do not respond to what primary health care workers do

11 (78.6)

3 (21.4)

0 (0)

It is rewarding to look after depressed patients

4 (28.6)

9 (64.3)

1 (7.1)

If depressed patients need antidepressants, they are better off with psychiatrists than with primary health care workers

8 (57.1)

6 (42.9)

0 (0)

Antidepressants usually produce a satisfactory result in the treatment of depressed patients in general practice

2 (14.3)

11 (78.6)

1 (7.1)

Psychotherapy for depressed patients should be left to a specialist

4 (28.6)

10 (71.4)

0 (0)

If psychotherapy were freely available, this would be more beneficial than antidepressants for most depressed patients

2 (14.3)

12 (85.7)

0 (0)