1M.B. Ch. B., F.I.C.M.S. Consultant Psychiatrist. University of Al-Qadisiyah, College of Medicine, Al-Dewaniyah province, Iraq
2MB. Ch. B, University of Al-Qadisiyah/College of Medicine/Dep. of Family Medicine/Al-Dewaniyah Province/Iraq
*Corresponding author: Zainab Ali Abed Email: zainab.ali.abed@gmail.com, Address: Al-Diwaniyah/Iraq/P.O. Box: 88.
Online published on 7 December, 2018.
The prevalence of depressive symptoms is more frequent among patients than in the general population. Little is known about the prevalence rate of depressive symptoms in Iraqi patients attending primary health centers, in addition there under diagnosis and under estimation of depressive symptoms in clinical settings.
The aim was to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders among Iraqi patients.
A cross sectional study involving a cohort of Iraqi patients attending primary health center. Patients were selected in a systemic random way from the population of patients already visiting the primary health care center aiming at a target of at least 100 patients. Any patient visiting the primary health center was included in the current without previous limitations with respect to age or gender. Any patient who was already diagnosed by a specialist to have depressive disorder was excluded from this study. The study was carried out at Al-Saniyah primary health center.
There were 17 (17.3%), 7 (7.1%) and 3 (3.1%) patients with mild, moderate and severe depression. Patients with depression were significantly older than patients without depression, 37.26 ± 8.88 years versus 31.26 ± 10.49 years, respectively and the level of significance was (P = 0.045). Moreover, it was observed that the rate of depression across age intervals was significantly non-homogenous, with the highest rate being encountered in patients older than 40.
The rate of depressive disorders among patients attending primary health care centers is higher than that of the general population.
Depression, primary health care center, Iraq
