Depression in San Carlos de Bariloche: Epidemiological study of prevalence and use of mental health services

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: few studies have evaluated major depression (MD) prevalence in Argentina, and estimates are very variable.
The goal of this research was to estimate prevalence of MD, health services utilization and relationship with socio-demographic factors in 18- to 64-year-old people from San Carlos de Bariloche. METHODS: the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression  Scale Revised (CESD-R) was used to assess MD in a sample of 299 people in 2017. The questionnaire also inquired about socio- demographic aspects, and asked if people had visited a health care provider and received treatment for depression. RESULTS:  MD prevalence was 5.7% (CI95%: 3.3-8.9). The rate was higher in lower socio-economic strata. Only 47.1% of MD cases had  visited a health care provider for emotional, nervous or mental health problems, with lower rates in lower socio-economic  strata. There was a higher risk of MD among unemployed people and those who were neither working nor seeking for a job.  Risky alcohol consumption or dependency was more common among MD cases (17.6%) than among non-MD cases (6.9%). DISCUSSION: the MD prevalence found is similar to that reported nationwide. The study highlights an important gap between  service use and treatment. It is necessary to promote public health policies to provide adequate therapeutic resources with the  purpose of improving the quality of life.