Depression&Anxiety Among Women in Northern Kenya:Sociodemographic Predictors

This article documents socio-demographic predictors of anxiety and depression among Maasai women in resource poor settings in Northern Kenya.These findings emerged from the findings of a dissertation research that aimed to establish the treatment effectiveness of an eclectic model of psychoeducation(PE)in treating depressive and anxiety symptoms among the women.The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design which had an experimental group(EG)and control group(CG).The population for the study was 686 female members of Conservation Enterprise Groups(CEG)in Laikipia County,from which a sample of 200 were recruited for the study(EG,n=100 and CG,n=100),at 80%power and 30%effective size.The Beck’s Depression Inventory(BDI)and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory(BAI)tools were used to assess the symptoms of depression and anxiety,respectively.The PE was provided as an intervention treatment to the EG at the middle and end of the study,after which the respondents were tested for symptoms of depression.The study established the prevalence of depression as 26.7%and 31.3%for anxiety and disorders,among women in the region.Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0.

Depressive Disorders Among Women Living in Resource Poor,Northern Kenya:The Role of Psycho-education

This paper highlights the findings of a dissertation research which aimed to determine the effectiveness of a model of psycho-education(PE)developed for this study,in treating the symptoms of depressive disorders among Maasai women living in resource poor settings in Laikipia County,in Northern Kenya.The quasi-experimental research design with an experimental group(EG)and control group(CG)was adopted for this study.The target population for this study were 686 female members of Conservation Enterprise Groups(CEG)operating in the area.A sample size of 200 was selected for the study;(EG,n=100)and(CG,n=100),at 80%power and 30%effective size.The tool used to test for symptoms of depression was the Beck’s Depression Inventory(BDI).The PE was provided as an intervention treatment to the EG at the middle and end of the study,after which the respondents were tested for symptoms of depression.The prevalence of depression was established at 26.7%and statistical tests conducted throughout the studies showed that the PE treatment significantly improved depression symptoms(P<0.005).Data from the(CG)showed that if these symptoms were not treated using,they degenerated into severe symptoms.Data was analysed using SPSS Version 21.0.

Improving the Quality of Life of Women Living With Anxiety in Northern Kenya:Psychoeducation Treatment

Anxiety symptoms are rampant among women in resource poor settings in Northern and Kenya,which negatively affect their quality of life(QoL).Psychoeducation(PE)could be effective in mitigating and treating anxiety disorders in resource poor settings,due to its cost-effective nature.This research aimed to improve the QoL of women with anxiety symptoms through an eclectic model of psychoeducation treatment.The quasi-experimental research design with an experimental group(EG)and a control group(CG)was adopted.A sample size of 200 was selected for the study(EG,N=100;CG,N=100).Beck’s Anxiety Inventory(BAI)was used to screen for anxiety while the EUROHIS eight-item index was used to evaluate the QoL indicators.Chi-square tests conducted at baseline established no variations in anxiety levels in the two groups(p=0.05).Psychoeducation was introduced as an intervention treatment to the EG two weeks after the baseline and then after six weeks at midline studies.At baseline,there was no statistical difference in the levels of anxiety.Endline studies showed that the PE treatment significantly improved anxiety symptoms(p=0.000)of EG respondents,leading to significant improvements in their QoL.Data were analysed by using SPSS Version 21.0.