Aim: To determine the point prevalence of depression in the general Latvian population and to explore the associated sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods: The study was part of the cross-sectional survey on the general population on substance use in Latvia in 2011. It consisted of face-to-face interviews of a randomised stratified multi-stage probability sample. In total, 4493 persons were included, aged between 15 and 64. To assess depression, the participants were interviewed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9; a score of ≥10 was defined as indicating the presence of a depressive episode. Socio-demographic, subjective health status and alcohol use were assessed using the structured interviews. Logistic regression models were applied to analyze data.
Results: The point prevalence of depression was 6.7%. The odds of having depression were higher in females, in urban dwellers (though not in the capital city, Riga), in persons with non-Latvian ethnicity, with alcohol dependence, with poor subjective health status and having a dissatisfaction with life. Limitations. Cross-sectional nature of the sampling and the symptom scale used for the assessment of depression.
Conclusions: The point prevalence of depression in Latvia is within the European average. Certain socio-demographic and health related factors are associated with higher risk of morbidity with depression.
Keywords: Depression; General population; Interviews; Point prevalence; Sociodemographic factors.
© 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.