An observational study in Depression Disorders, sponsored by Al-Nahrain University. Recruiting at 1 site in Iraq. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-04.
Sponsored by Al-Nahrain University · Observational
This observational study aims to estimate the prevalence and severity of depression in HCWs in cardiothoracic surgery departments in Baghdad City, Iraq, using a self-administered PHQ-9 questionnaire. The main questions it aims to answer are:
What is the prevalence of depression among cardiothoracic surgery healthcare workers? How is the severity of depression distributed within this group? Are there specific occupational or demographic factors associated with higher levels of depression?
Participants will:
Fill out the PHQ-9 in order to measure the severity of depressive symptoms at a specific moment in time.
Demographic and occupational details such as age, gender, years of experience and position held should be taken to look for possible relationship with depression.
Major depressive disorder is a prevalent, severe, and recurring mental health condition.There is a significant difference in the prevalence of major depressive disorder across various socioeconomic contexts and countries. Depression is a debilitating mental illness, severely impacting psychosocial function and quality of life.
Individuals, including healthcare workers, are at risk of developing various psychological disorders, with depression being the most prevalent. In Iraq, healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress due to the nature of their job. They often have to deal with heavy workloads, night shifts, and shift work, which can take a toll on their mental well-being. These occupational stress factors can lead to burnout, anxiety, sleep problems, psychiatric disorders, or even depression. It has been reported that the screening for depression among healthcare workers is on the rise. Healthcare workers and individuals who work in the healthcare industry often experience symptoms of anxiety and depression at a significant rate.
There are several tools that can be used to screen for depressive disorders. One commonly used instrument in primary care is the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which is a brief, self-administered, and easy-to-score tool that is well-validated for detecting and monitoring changes in depression severity. and detection of this condition in large epidemiological studies As this instrument is based on DSM-IV criteria, it tends to identify cases with Major Depressive Episode (MDE) when the scores are high. Additionally, it can be utilized to evaluate the intensity of depression by distinguishing between mild to severe cases. However, it is important to note that there is mounting evidence that the cut-off points used to determine the degree of severity may differ based on various contexts.
This study addresses the mental health gap among Iraqi healthcare workers, particularly in cardiothoracic surgery, within a healthcare system strained by war, resource shortages, and heavy patient loads. Despite these challenges, few studies assess depression in this group. Findings aim to inform mental health support policies for high-stress medical fields in Iraq.
Al-Nahrain University is the lead sponsor of 26 studies on the registry; 20 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
The study targets cardiothoracic surgical departments' health care workers in Baghdad's hospitals. This encompasses cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, perfusionists, and many related personnel who mostly come into direct contact with the patients. These persons work in conditions that may trigger mental health problems, such as extended working hours, intricate processes, and acute status of patients. The participants are chosen to be at least 18 years old, with different years of experience, and diagnosed to determine the rate of depression in the mentioned specific medical line.
Exclusion Criteria:
Prevalence of Depression
Proportion of cardiothoracic surgery HCWs at Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital who exhibit depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Data collection will occur over a 3-months period, with each participant completing the assessment at a single point during this time frame.
Severity of Depression
The severity of depression in this study will be determined based on the scores obtained from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 categorizes depression severity as follows: Minimal depression: Scores 0-4, indicating little to no symptoms. Mild depression: Scores 5-9, suggesting occasional symptoms that may not significantly affect daily functioning. Moderate depression: Scores 10-14, indicating more frequent symptoms that can interfere with daily life. Moderately severe depression: Scores 15-19, showing pronounced symptoms that significantly impact daily activities. Severe depression: Scores 20-27, with symptoms that are debilitating.
Time frame: Data collection will occur over a 3-months period, with each participant completing the PHQ-9 assessment at a single point during this time frame.
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
The total score can range from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depression.
Time frame: Data collection will occur over a 3-months period, with each participant completing the PHQ-9 assessment at a single point during this time frame.
Plan to share: No
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Al-Nahrain University