ObjectiveIt is crucial to use clinically validated instruments to detect and treat depression in people with epilepsy. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the psychometric properties of the Afaan Oromo version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-item (HAMD-17) among these individuals in Ethiopia.DesignA cross-sectional validation study.SettingA tertiary hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.ParticipantsA total of 133 people with epilepsy were included in this study using a consecutive sampling technique from 1 September 2020 to 30 September 2020.OutcomeThe psychometric property of the HAMD-17. Criterion validity was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s alpha. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used in determining the cut-off score, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). The tools were translated into the local language (Afaan Oromo) and back into English and pretested before the data collection.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 31.7 years, SD±10.7. Eighty-six (64.7%), 55 (48.1%), 68 (51.1%) and 62 (46.6%) of them were male, unmarried, urban residents and completed primary school, respectively. The internal consistency of HAMD-17 was α=0.74. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient for criterion validity was r=0.88. The ROC analysis showed 0.92 and 0.91 sensitivity and specificity of the HAMD-17, respectively. It also revealed α=0.96 NPV and α=0.87 PPV at a cut score of ≥9. The area under the ROC curve was 0.96.ConclusionsThe Afaan Oromo version of the HAMD-17 was considered valid and reliable for assessing depression in people with epilepsy, and the tool is not difficult to understand. The diagnostic performance using the gold standard MINI showed a good discriminatory capacity of the instrument. It can be used by any health professional to screen depression in people with epilepsy.