PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF CHRONIC SKIN DISEASES AND ASSOCIATED FACTOR AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING DERMATOLOGY OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF SPHMMC, ADDIS ABEBA, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background: Chronic skin diseases impact not only physical health but also psychological and social well-being, often leading to stigma, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life (QOL). However, limited data exist on the psychosocial effects of these conditions in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and poor QOL among patients with chronic skin diseases at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 316 patients diagnosed with chronic skin diseases, selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected via structured interviews using validated tools: PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, RSES for self-esteem and DLQI for QOL assessment. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 25 to identify associated factors. Results: Anxiety was reported by 37.3% of patients, depression by 31.6%, low self-esteem by 23.7%, and poor QOL by 40.5%. Factors influencing QOL included age, sex, marital status, site of involvement, symptom presence, and specific diagnoses. Anxiety was associated with sex, education, marital and employment status, and symptoms. Depression was linked to employment, marital status, education, income, and treatment history. Self-esteem was influenced by marital status, education, employment, diagnosis, site of involvement, and treatment history. Conclusion: Chronic skin diseases significantly affect mental health and QOL. The findings underscore the need for integrated care approaches that address both dermatological and psychological health to improve patient outcomes.