Abstract
Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) workers often fail to recognize and diagnose depression, and as a result, only minorities of depressed
patients receive appropriate treatment. Objective: This study was undertaken to determine how well PHC workers manage depression. We obtained
information on the level of knowledge, attitude and current practices of PHC workers concerning depression. We also reported their expressed needs for improving the management of this mental health problem at the PHC level.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among all the health workers comprising Nurses/
Midwives, Community Health Extension workers and Community Health workers at the primary health care centre in Ibadan North Local government ,Oyo State Nigeria using i n t e r v i e w e r - a d m i n i s t e r e d questionnaires.
Results: One hundred and one (68.7%) had received prior training on depression. The knowledge scores in the three groups were significantly different with Nurses and Midwives recording the highest score of 14.1 (SD= 2.4), (p<0.05). On attitude, majority (95.3%) scored 10-15 points
and the overall mean score was 13.6
which indicated a highly positive
attitude towards the care of people with depression. In the management of
depression, thirty three (42%) mentioned history taking, 69(87.3%) saidcounseling,41(51.9%) prescribed drugsand7(8.9%) prayed for patients. Expressed needs in the management

Key words: KEY WORDS: Depression, Primary Health Care, Management.