Citation

Audet CM, Wainberg ML, Oquendo MA, Yu Q, Blevins Peratikos M, Duarte CS, Martinho S, Green AF, González-Calvo L, Moon TD. J. Affect. Disord. 2017; 227: 48-55.

Affiliation

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, United States; Friends in Global Health, Mozambique; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2017.10.022

PMID

29053975

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An estimated 350 million people live with depression worldwide. In Mozambique, there are no national data quantifying the burden of mental illnesses. With the sixth highest suicide rate in the world, there is strong evidence of an unmet mental health need. We conducted a survey to measure the prevalence of depression among female heads of household and assess individual, social, and cultural risk factors associated with a positive depression screening.

METHODS: This survey was conducted across 14 rural districts in central Mozambique in 2014. We gathered information from 3543 female heads of household (100% response rate) on > 500 variables, including a depression screening tool (PHQ-8). Weighted percentages of survey responses are reported.

RESULTS: Among female heads of household, 14% screened positive for depression (PHQ-8 score ≥ 10). Our adjusted models show increased odds of depression per additional year of age (aOR: 1.02 [1.01, 1.04]; p = 0.002), additional year of education (aOR: 1.06 [1.02, 1.11]; p = 0.006), and additional kilometer from the nearest clinic (aOR: 1.05 [1.02, 1.07]; p = < 0.001). Experiencing food insecurity (aOR: 1.05 [1.02, 1.08]; p = 0.003) was associated with increased odds of depression. Being single (aOR: 0.42 [0.29, 0.60]) or divorced/widowed/separated (aOR: 0.57 [0.34, 0.98]; p < 0.001) vs. married was protective against depression, as was a perceived "sufficient" household income (aOR: 0.37 [0.19, 0.69]; p = 0.008). LIMITATIONS: Social desirability bias may have led women to underreport feelings of depression.

CONCLUSIONS: The association of more education and marriage with increased odds of depression may reflect a frustration with limited opportunity for success experienced by some women in rural Mozambique.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Depression; Mozambique; Rural sub-Saharan Africa; Women