DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH TOBACCO SMOKING DEPENDENCE AND ANALGESIC MISUSE IN AL-MADINAH: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background Depression is a global burden that is exacerbated by smoking. A high prevalence of Depression Symptoms is associated with Nicotine Dependence. The use of analgesics is more common with depressive symptoms even after controlling for self-reported pain, significantly contributing to morbidity and premature mortality. This study aims to estimate the prevalence rate of depression symptoms in current smokers, analgesic misuse, and associations between such symptoms and the level of dependence in the Madinah city population.

Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Ministry of Health smoking cessation clinics in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from February 20 to March 29, 2024. The level of Nicotine Dependence among smoking participants was assessed based on the validated Arabic version of the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) questionnaire. also assessed Depression Symptoms using a Patient Health Questionnaire with a 9-item depression scale (PHQ-9).

Results Prevalence of Mild and moderate depression were found among 31.9% and 11.1% of the participants, respectively. Higher depression symptoms were associated with Nicotine Dependence, such that those smoking who have psychological problems had an approximately 1.2-fold higher depression score (RR= 1.20; 95% CI 1.05, 1.39). also, Participants who are currently working had a depression score that was significantly higher by a factor of 1.18 relative to those who are not working (RR= 1.18; 95% CI 1.04, 1.33). as well as sociodemographic factors (RR=1.67;95% CI 1.30, 2.14). The prevalence rate of analgesic consumption to ease headaches and/or stomachaches during the last several weeks was 57% among girls and 29% among boys.

Conclusions There is a correlation between Depression and Nicotine Dependence outcomes; people who use nicotine products are more likely to experience depression. Depressive symptoms are significantly associated with analgesic consumption among adolescents, even after controlling for pain.