The Development of Care Approaches for Treating Drug Users with Depression

Abstract

This research is an action research study aimed at examining the situation of drug users with depression, developing care strategies for treating drug users with depression, and evaluating the effectiveness of these care strategies. The population consists of drug users with depression ranging from mild to severe, all of whom are in the Huakwang sub-district, Kosumphisai district, Maha Sarakham province. The tools used include care strategies for treating drug users with depression, a 2-question (2Q) depression screening, a 9-question (9Q) depression screening, an 8-question (8Q) suicide assessment, a stress assessment (ST-5), and a self-esteem questionnaire scores. The statistics used in data analysis are percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-Square Test, and Paired t-test.

The research found that depression screening with 2 questions (2Q) among drug users with depression after participating in the care strategy development program had a positive effect on screening, reducing from 24 to 11 cases, which is 45.8%. The comparison of depression screening with 9 questions (9Q) among drug users with depression before and after participation showed a statistically significant mean score reduction (Mean difference = 6.92, 95%CI 5.77-8.06, p-value<0.05). The stress assessment (ST-5) scores after participation also significantly decreased (Mean difference = 4.46, 95%CI 3.69-5.23, p-value<0.05). The self-esteem questionnaire scores increased significantly after participation (Mean difference = -0.78, 95%CI -0.99 to -0.56, p-value <0.05), but the suicide assessment (8Q) scores before and after participation did not differ significantly.

The study concluded that after drug users with depression participated in the care strategy development program, they experienced increased self-esteem, and improved depression and stress screening results. Therefore, this care approach should be continuously used and disseminated for use in community health-promoting hospitals or other hospitals.