Socio-demographic correlates of depressive disorder in Butajira, rural Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the socio-demographic correlates of depressive disorder and their interactions.

DESIGN

Cross sectional study.

SETTING

Rural population in Ethiopia.

SUBJECTS: Two hundred and twelve cases of depressive disorders.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinically confirmed depressive disorder.

METHODS

We conducted a door-to-door survey of a predominantly rural population of close to 70,000 individuals. Cases of depressive disorder were identified by use of the SCAN (Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry) and clinical assessment.

RESULTS

Age was associated with the disorder: those aged 35 and above had over twice the risk of those aged 24 or below: adjusted odds ratio (95% Confidence interval) = 2.24 (1.38, 3.64). On aggregate, those previously married (separated/divorced/widowed) had an almost two-fold increased risk of the disorder compared to the singles [Adj. OR (95% CI) = 1.93 (1.00, 3.70)]. As a result of effect modification by age, being married was positively associated with depressive disorders [Adj. OR (95% CI) = 3.52 (1.96, 6.32)] among the younger age group (16 to 24 years), but this association was reversed in older (25 to 34 years) age groups [Adj. OR (95% CI) = 0.50 (0.29, 0.88)].

CONCLUSION

The study shows that age and marital status are associated with depressive disorders independently of each other and that age modifies the association of marital status with depressive disorder.