World Cardiology Conference 2026

Abstract

Background:
More than one-third of children with heart disease experience mental health problems. These complications contribute to repeated hospitalization, poor quality of life and challenge in managing heart disease. However, no studies have been conducted in Ethiopia to assess the prevalence of depression and its associated factors in this population.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among children and adolescent with heart disease at selected tertiary teaching hospitals in Ethiopia.

Method:
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 845 children with heart disease at the follow-up clinic from May 10/2025 to December 01/2025 in the selected tertiary teaching hospitals in Ethiopia. Data was collected by kobo tool using questioner constructed from sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Depression was measured using Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Descriptive analysis results were presented in mean, frequency tables and graphs and data was analyzed using STATA version 17. The presence of multicollinearity between independent variables was checked using a Pearson correlation matrix. Bivariable analysis was done and variables with p < 0.2 were included multivariable analysis. Variables from multivariable regression with p value <0.05 were taken as significantly associated.

Conclusion:
The study result showed that the magnitude of depression was significantly high compared with world health organization mental health disorder among children and adolescents. Being adolescents, having sever disease, taking medication and children used self-distraction as coping stratagems were associated with depression