Prevalence and influencing factors of depression of caregivers in children with epilepsy in southwestern China: a cross-sectional study

This study investigated the epidemiological status of depression and its influencing factors among caregivers of children with epilepsy in southwestern China. This was a cross-sectional study. Caregivers of children with epilepsy were recruited from February to June 2018 at the Pediatric Neurology Department of the West China Second Hospital. Depression status was assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess correlations between depression status and its influencing factors. A total of 319 participants were included. The mean Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale score was 36.37 ± 10.178 and 5.3% (17/319) of participants were classified as depressed. Regression analysis showed that place of residence (B = 0.114; standard error = 0.643; P = .039), attitude towards seizures (B = −0.121; standard error = 1.215; P = .029), medical expenses payment (B = −0.111; standard error = 2.002; P = .044), and children's medication adherence (B = −0.124; standard error = 0.393; P = .025) were related to depression. Some caregivers of children with epilepsy in southwestern China experience depression. Health care providers should pay particular attention to caregivers who live in rural areas, who fear seizures, who experience difficulty paying medical expenses, and whose children show low medication adherence.