Depression Screening in a population-based study: Brazilian National Health Survey 2019/Rastreamento de sintomas depressivos em um estudo de base populacional: Pesquisa Nacional de Saude 2019

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2023-04, Vol.28 (4), p.1163
• Main Authors: Melo, Ana Paula Souto, Bonadiman, Cecilia Silva Costa, Andrade, Fabiana Martins de, Pinheiro, Pedro Cisalpino, Malta, Deborah Carvalho
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Algorithms; Depression, Mental; Health; Health surveys; Surveys
• ISSN: 1413-8123
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232023284.14912022

This study evaluated the prevalence of positive screening for depression in Brazil and its associated factors. We used data from National Health Survey 2019 (Pesquisa Nacional de Saude - PNS), a population-based survey with 88,531 adults. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used with two scoring methods, the algorithm and the cutoff point[greater than or equal to]10. The variables included sociodemographic characteristics. The prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using Poisson regression. The positive screening for depression was 10.8% (95%CI: 10.4-11.0), at the cutoff point [greater than or equal to]10 and 5.7% (95%CI: 5.4-6.0) for algorithm. Significant differences were found in prevalence in some Brazilian states. Multivariable analyses showed that being female, black, under 70 years of age, having little education, being single, and living in an urban area were independently associated with a depressive symptoms. The highest association was found in the states of Sergipe, Goias, Piaui, Espirito Santo, Sao Paulo, Alagoas and lowest in Para, Mato Grosso and Maranhao. The prevalence of positive screening for depression in Brazil has increased in recent years. More investment in mental health resources is necessary and surveys such as the PNS should be continued.