A comparative cross-cultural study of the prevalence of late life depression in low and middle income countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Current estimates of the prevalence of depression in later life mostly arise from studies carried out in Europe, North America and Asia. In this study we aimed to measure the prevalence of depression using a standardised method in a number of low and middle income countries (LMIC).

Methods

A one-phase cross-sectional survey involving over 17,000 participants aged 65 years and over living in urban and rural catchment areas in 13 sites from 9 countries (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, China, India and Nigeria). Depression was assessed and compared using ICD-10 and EURO-D criteria.

Results

Depression prevalence varied across sites according to diagnostic criteria. The lowest prevalence was observed for ICD-10 depressive episode

SUBMITTER: Guerra M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4679114 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature