Prevalence Estimates Of Depression Research Articles

Mental health trajectories across COVID-19 and beyond: South African occupational health surveillance data (2019–2023)

There are inconsistent reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated social restrictions on mental health, with initial suggestions of an increased prevalence of mental disorders in South Africa. However, the longitudinal trajectories of mental health responses across the COVID-19 pandemic are not clear. The primary aim of this study was to describe the trajectories of self-reported common mental disorders, as determined by repeat administration of clinical screening tools across five consecutive years (from 2019 to 2023). A secondary aim was to consider associations with demographic factors such as gender and age. Point prevalence estimates were obtained from a South African occupational mental health surveillance programme in a stable workplace population. Trajectories of common mental disorders across COVID-19 were determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 to identify Major Depressive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder, respectively. Prevalence estimates for depression and anxiety disorders initially remained stable before increasing towards mid-2021 and returning to pre-COVID-19 estimates by end-2022. Suicidal ideation decreased early into the pandemic but returned to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2021. The study suggests that on a practical level, readily available access to mental health care remains an important mechanism to protect mental health during and after major societal disruptor events. This can further be supported through regular monitoring and through providing high-intensity early intervention for at least 18 to 24 months following such events.

Depression detection in dementia: A diagnostic accuracy systematic review and meta analysis update.

Depression is common in persons with dementia and is often under-detected and under-treated. It is critical to understand which available tools accurately detect depression in the context of dementia. We updated our systematic review completed in 2015. The search strategy of our original review was replicated in Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO. Studies describing the use of a tool to identify depression in persons with dementia, compared to a criterion standard, and reporting diagnostic accuracy outcomes were included in the review update. Pooled prevalence estimates of major depression and pooled estimates of diagnostic accuracy outcomes (i.e., sensitivity [SN], specificity [SP]) for tools were calculated. Three studies were included of the 8980 returned from the database search and were added to the prior 20 articles from the 2015 review. The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)-15 item, Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Depressionitems (NPI-D), and Depression in Old Age Scale (DIA-S) were evaluated in the three studies. Two new studies were added to the existing pooled prevalence estimate of major depression (29%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.6%-36.5%, n = 17) and pooled diagnostic accuracy estimate for the CSDD at the best cut-off (SN = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.74-0.90; SP = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69-0.89). New pooled diagnostic accuracy estimates were completed for the CSDD (cut-off ≥12) (SN = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42-0.77; SP = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.76-0.88), GDS-15 (best cut-off) (SN = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.40-0.83; SP = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55-0.85), and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)(best cut-off) (SN = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.67-0.85; SP = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.60-0.75). The CSDD continues to have the most evidence for depression case finding in persons living with dementia. The CSDD and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale have the highest sensitivities and may be recommended for use over other common tools like the GDS-15 and MADRS. Newly identified tools like the NPI-D and DIA-S require further study before they can be recommended for use in practice.

Anxiety and Depression in Youth With Chronic Pain

For youth with chronic pain, anxiety and depression are reported as consequences of experiencing pain and maintaining factors of ongoing pain and disability. However, prevalence estimates of anxiety and depression remain unclear. To report the prevalence of clinical anxiety and depression for youth with chronic pain and compare symptoms of anxiety and depression between youth with and without chronic pain. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and Embase from inception to April 30, 2023. Included studies that reported prevalence data or symptom scores for anxiety and/or depression in individuals younger than 25 years (mean, ≤18 years) with chronic pain and were published in English. From 9648 nonduplicate records, 801 full-text articles were screened. Screening and data extraction occurred in duplicate. Prevalence was determined using event rate calculations. Between-group symptom differences were calculated using Hedges g. Analyses were conducted using the random-effects model. Reporting bias and Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation assessments were conducted. Prevalence of anxiety and depression (based on diagnosis and clinical cutoff scores) and differences in anxiety and depression symptoms. Moderators of prevalence and symptom differences were analyzed when data allowed. A total of 79 studies were included with a total sample of 22 956 youth (n = 12 614 with chronic pain). Most youth were female (mean, 74%), with an age range of 4 to 24 (mean [SD], 13.7 [2.10]) years. The prevalence estimate of anxiety diagnoses was 34.6% (95% CI, 24.0%-47.0%) and the portion that exceeded clinical cutoff scores was 23.9% (95% CI, 18.3%-30.6%). The prevalence of depression diagnoses was 12.2% (95% CI, 7.8%-18.7%) and the portion that exceeded clinical cutoff scores was 23.5% (95% CI, 18.7%-29.2%). Youth with chronic pain had greater symptoms of anxiety (g = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.46-0.77) and depression (g = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.63-0.85) compared with controls. Sex, age, pain location, and recruitment sample may moderate anxiety and depression. Considerable heterogeneity was reported for all outcomes. Studies had a low reporting bias, and outcomes were moderate to high quality. The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that 1 in 3 youth with chronic pain meet criteria for anxiety disorder, and 1 in 8 meet criteria for a depressive disorder. This represents a major clinical comorbidity. Moving forward, screening, prevention, and treatment of mental health should be important health care priorities for youth with chronic pain.

Depression among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and its Relationship with Disease Severity

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory autoimmune illness characterized by symmetric peripheral polyarthritis. Studies showed that there is an association between inflammation and depression, so most RA patients are suffering from depression. People with RA are twice as likely to have depression as the general population. Prevalence estimates for depression among RA patients range between 9.5%, 8, and 41.5%. Objectives: To study the prevalence of depression among rheumatoid arthritis patients and its relationship with disease severity Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and attending King Khalid Majmaah Hospital (KKMH). for follow-up. Fifty-seven patients were studied. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire and then analyzed using the SPSS Software program. This study protected the confidentiality of participants, and ethical approval was obtained from the King Fahad Medical City Review Board. Results: Most of the participants of this study were married females. 59.6% had been diagnosed with RA for less than five years, and Joint deformities were found in 19.3%. Prevalence of depression RA patients participated in this study. Only 12.3% were moderately depressed, so regular assessment of the RA patients is needed. HAQ results showed that 56.1% were categorized as 0 to 1. No significant association was found between the severity of depression and age group, gender, occupational status, diagnosis duration, family history of RA, joint deformities, serology markers, and conventional or biologic DMARDs. Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of depression among the RA studied group was 28.1%. Among them, 12.3% were moderately depressed, and the rest had mild depression, so regular assessment of depression symptoms among the RA patients is needed, and antidepressants should be given if the depression worsens. Health-related quality of life (HAQ) results showed that 56.1% were categorized as 0 to 1. No significant association was found between the severity of RA and the level of depression. More extensive sample size studies? We need to confirm our findings in the future.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on postnatal depression: analysis of three population-based national maternity surveys in England (2014-2020).

Few studies have evaluated postnatal depression before and during the Covid-19 pandemic using comparable data across time. We used data from three national maternity surveys in England to compare prevalence and risk factors for postnatal depression before and during the pandemic. Analysis was conducted using population-based surveys carried out in 2014 (n=4571), 2018 (n=4509), and 2020 (n=4611). Weighted prevalence estimates for postnatal depression (EPDS score ≥13) were compared across surveys. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted risk ratios (aRR) for the association between sociodemographic, pregnancy- and birth-related, and biopsychosocial factors, and postnatal depression. Prevalence of postnatal depression increased from 10.3% in 2014 to 16.0% in 2018 (difference=+5.7% (95% CI: 4.0-7.4); RR=1.55 (95% CI: 1.36-1.77)) and to 23.9% in 2020 (difference=+7.9% (95% CI: 5.9-9.9); RR=1.49 (95% CI: 1.34-1.66)). Having a long-term mental health problem (aRR range=1.48-2.02), antenatal anxiety (aRR range=1.73-2.12) and antenatal depression (aRR range=1.44-2.24) were associated with increased risk of postnatal depression, whereas satisfaction with birth (aRR range=0.89-0.92) and social support (aRR range=0.73-0.78) were associated with decreased risk before and during the pandemic. This analysis indicates that Covid-19 had an important negative impact on postnatal women's mental health and may have accelerated an existing trend of increasing prevalence of postnatal depression. Risk factors for postnatal depression were consistent before and during the pandemic. Timely identification, intervention and follow-up are key to supporting women at risk, and it is essential that mechanisms to support women are strengthened during times of heightened risk such as the pandemic. NIHR Policy Research Programme.

Anxiety, Depression, and Adverse Childhood Experiences: An Update on Risks and Protective Factors Among Children and Youth.

In “The Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences with Anxiety and Depression for Children and Youth, 8 to 17 Years of Age”, we found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which encompass abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction before the age of 18, were associated with significantly higher odds of anxiety and depression. 1 Elmore AL Crouch E. The association of adverse childhood experiences with anxiety and depression for children and youth, 8 to 17 years of age. Acad Pediatr. 2020; 20: 600-608https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2020.02.012 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar Based on 2016–2017 National Survey of Children's Health data, our study provided prevalence estimates for current anxiety (9%) and current depression (4%) among children and youth. 1 Elmore AL Crouch E. The association of adverse childhood experiences with anxiety and depression for children and youth, 8 to 17 years of age. Acad Pediatr. 2020; 20: 600-608https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2020.02.012 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar We found that 8% of children experienced 4 or more ACEs and the two most common types were parental divorce/separation (31%) and economic hardship (25%). 1 Elmore AL Crouch E. The association of adverse childhood experiences with anxiety and depression for children and youth, 8 to 17 years of age. Acad Pediatr. 2020; 20: 600-608https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2020.02.012 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar By examining the outcomes of anxiety and depression separately, we found that the magnitude of association between nearly all ACE exposures and depression were stronger than those with anxiety. Thus, our study highlighted the importance of examining the impact of ACEs on internalizing behaviors, such as anxiety and depression, by specific condition for comprehensive pediatric prevention and treatment efforts. 1 Elmore AL Crouch E. The association of adverse childhood experiences with anxiety and depression for children and youth, 8 to 17 years of age. Acad Pediatr. 2020; 20: 600-608https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2020.02.012 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar Since we submitted our publication in September 2019, researchers have provided updated prevalence estimates and examined the impact of ACEs on co-occurring anxiety and depression. In this progress report, we discuss literature that updates and expands our prior work.

Current psychiatric treatment for college students with depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety (2013–2019)

BackgroundThis epidemiological study described changes in the estimated prevalence of current pharmacological and/or psychotherapy-based treatment utilization among college students with depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety. MethodsA sample of 190,500 weighted responses was collected through the 2013–2019 Healthy Minds Study questionnaires. Annual prevalence estimates of depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety were computed. Current use of therapy, pharmacological services, or dual treatment among students with depression and/or anxiety were examined via descriptive statistics. ResultsEstimated prevalence of college students who screened positive for depression only, anxiety only, and comorbid depression & anxiety escalated from 2013 to 2018–2019. When assessed individually, rates of currently using any psychiatric medication, participating in therapy, and engaging in concurrent medication & therapy services significantly rose among students with depression and/or anxiety. However, temporal trends in the current use of specific classes of psychiatric medications among young adults with depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety differed by medication class. LimitationsThis study was unable to assess psychiatric prescribing practices, depression or anxiety diagnoses, and prior mental health treatment. ConclusionsAn increasing proportion of college students are reporting depression and/or anxiety symptoms as well as pharmacological and/or psychotherapy service utilization when comparing rates from 2013 to 2018–19. Although this may indicate increasing acceptability to disclose and seek treatment for problematic symptomology, continued surveillance of college populations is needed to identify students at risk for adverse psychiatric health outcomes, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Trends in U.S. Depression Prevalence From 2015 to 2020: The Widening Treatment Gap

IntroductionMajor depression is a common and potentially lethal condition. Early data suggest that the population-level burden of depression has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prepandemic estimates of depression prevalence are required to quantify and comprehensively address the pandemic's impact on mental health in the U.S.MethodsData were drawn from the 2015–2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationally representative study of U.S. individuals aged ≥12 years. The prevalence of past-year depression and help seeking for depression were estimated from 2015 to 2019, and time trends were tested with Poisson regression with robust SEs. Point estimates were calculated for 2020 and not included in statistical trend analyses because of differences in data collection procedures.ResultsIn 2020, 9.2% (SE=0.31) of Americans aged ≥12 years experienced a past-year major depressive episode. Depression was more common among young adults aged 18–25 years (17.2%, SE=0.78), followed closely by adolescents aged 12–17 years (16.9%, SE=0.84). Depression increased most rapidly among adolescents and young adults and increased among nearly all sex, racial/ethnic, income, and education groups. Depression prevalence did not change among adults aged ≥35 years, and the prevalence of help seeking remained consistently low across the study period.ConclusionsFrom 2015 to 2019, there were widespread increases in depression without commensurate increases in treatment, and in 2020, past 12‒month depression was prevalent among nearly 1 in 10 Americans and almost 1 in 5 adolescents and young adults. Decisive action involving a multipronged public health campaign that includes evidence-based prevention and intervention to address this ongoing mental health crisis is urgently needed.

Prevalence and associations of depression, anxiety, and stress amongpeople living with HIV: A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study.

Background and AimsAn important but much less researched burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Sub‐Saharan Africa includes the associated mental health outcomes of living with the virus. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress, and describe some of the socio‐demographic associations among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ghana.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Simple random sampling was used to recruit 395 PLHIV who access HIV‐related services at the antiretroviral therapy clinic. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale‐21 was used to assess prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress. Frequencies and percentages were used to estimate the prevalence and multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate sociodemographic factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress.ResultsThe prevalence estimates of depression, anxiety, and stress among PLHIV were 28.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.4–33.3), 40.8% (95% CI = 36.0–45.8), and 10.6% (95% CI = 7.9–14.1), respectively. Females reported higher prevalence of depression (32.2%; 95% CI = 27.2–37.7), anxiety (44.0%; 95% CI = 38.4–49.6), and stress (12.6%; 95% CI = 9.4–17.0) compared to depression (17.5%; 95% CI = 11.1–26.4), anxiety (30.9%; 95% CI = 22.5–40.7), and stress (4.1%; 95% CI = 1.2–10.4) among males. PLHIV without a regular partner were about 0.63 increased odds of experiencing anxiety compared to those with a regular partner (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40–1.00: p = 0.049). PLHIV without formal education were about 0.49 and 0.44 increased odds to experience anxiety and stress, respectively compared to those with tertiary education.ConclusionsGenerally, the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression are high among PLHIV, but disproportionately higher among females. Mental health assessment and management should be integrated into the HIV care services. There should be capacity building for health care workers to offer differentiated service delivery based on mental health care needs of PLHIV.

Psychosocial Distress of Head Neck Cancer (HNC) Patients Receiving Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review.

Background: Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients are at increased risk of psychosocial distress compared with patients with other forms of cancer. Various symptoms of the disease and side effects of treatment are attributing factors for distress. This systematic review aimed to identify the prevalence of psychosocial distress among HNC patients receiving radiotherapy. Methods:The following search engines from 2000-2021 were searched: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science, ProQuest, Scopus, and Embase. Citation checking and extensive reference checking were also conducted. Cross-sectional, longitudinal, cohort, exploratory and prospective, repeated measure studies published in English were included. Newcastle Ottawa Scale assessed the quality, and the data were extracted on a validated data extraction form. Results:Out of 782 articles, eleven records met the eligibility criteria, including 776 HNC patients receiving radiotherapy. Data were synthesized and summarized descriptively as measurements were not homogenous. Prevalence estimates of depression or depressive symptoms were calculated. Outcomes were measured with various measuring tools and reported in frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation in various studies. All studies reported depression ranging from 9.8% to 83.8%, and pooled estimated prevalence of depression among HNC patients receiving radiotherapy is 63% (95% CI 42-83) with significant heterogeneity (I2= 97.66%; p<0.001). An increase in the trend is observed along with treatment progression. Another three studies reported anxiety along with depression. Physical symptoms, body image, low social support, fatigue specific radiotherapy regimens were the predictive factors of depression. Conclusion:HNC patients are psychosocially distressed during radiotherapy, and the distress is steadily increased during the therapy. The predictive factors could serve as potential areas of intervention and supportive therapy during radiotherapy.

129. The Feasibility and Acceptability of Behavioral Activation in an Adolescent Clinical Setting

During the COVID-19 pandemic, estimates of adolescent depression prevalence have significantly increased. Although 80% of youth with mental health problems do not access mental health (MH) services, most interact regularly with pediatricians, suggesting primary care is a promising setting for youth MH service delivery. Behavioral activation (BA) is a straightforward intervention focusing on increasing engagement in meaningful activities and has been shown to be effective in adolescent populations.

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis and estimated the prevalence of depression and anxiety and their related factors among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and CBM databases. A systematic search was performed for relevant studies published before August 17, 2021. A random effects model was used to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety. Subgroup analysis was performed by continent or region, study setting, sex, sample size, diagnosis, and assessment method. Twenty-two articles covering 40,956 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled crude prevalence estimates of depression and anxiety were 25.2% (95% CI, 20.9%-29.6%) and 28.9% (95% CI, 16.1%-41.6%), respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed the following: (1) continent or region, study setting, sex, sample size, depression assessment method, and CRS diagnosis were significantly correlated with the prevalence of depression, and (2) continent or region, study setting, sample size, anxiety assessment method, and CRS diagnosis were significantly correlated with the prevalence of anxiety. Meta-regression analysis revealed that study setting and sample size were negatively associated with the pooled prevalence of depression. In contrast, CRS diagnosis and anxiety assessment method were positively associated with the pooled prevalence of anxiety. Depression and anxiety are common in patients with CRS, especially among clinics. Therefore, in patients with CRS, screening and early diagnosis of depression and anxiety are necessary for prevention and treatment.

The prevalence and risk of developing major depression among individuals with subthreshold depression in the general population.

Subthreshold depression could be a significant precursor to and a risk factor for major depression. However, reliable estimates of the prevalence and its contribution to developing major depression under different terminologies depicting subthreshold depression have to be established. By searching PubMed and Web of Science using predefined inclusion criteria, we included 1 129 969 individuals from 113 studies conducted. The prevalence estimates were calculated using the random effect model. The incidence risk ratio (IRR) was estimated by measuring the ratio of individuals with subthreshold depression who developed major depression compared to that of non-depressed individuals from 19 studies (88, 882 individuals). No significant difference in the prevalence among the different terminologies depicting subthreshold depression (Q = 1.96, p = 0.5801) was found. By pooling the prevalence estimates of subthreshold depression in 113 studies, we obtained a summary prevalence of 11.02% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.78-12.33%]. The youth group had the highest prevalence (14.17%, 95% CI 8.82-20.55%), followed by the elderly group (12.95%, 95% CI 11.41-14.58%) and the adult group (8.92%, 95% CI 7.51-10.45%). Further analysis of 19 studies' incidence rates showed individuals with subthreshold depression had an increased risk of developing major depression (IRR = 2.95, 95% CI 2.33-3.73), and the term minor depression showed the highest IRR compared with other terms (IRR = 3.97, 95% CI 3.17-4.96). Depression could be a spectrum disorder, with subthreshold depression being a significant precursor to and a risk factor for major depression. Proactive management of subthreshold depression could be effective for managing the increasing prevalence of major depression.

The prevalence of mental health conditions in healthcare workers during and after a pandemic: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

AimsThis review aims to explore the prevalence and incidence rates of mental health conditions in healthcare workers during and after a pandemic outbreak and which factors influence rates.BackgroundPandemics place considerable burden on care services, impacting on workers' health and their ability to deliver services. We systematically reviewed the prevalence and incidence of mental health conditions in care workers during pandemics.DesignSystematic review and meta‐analysis.Data sourcesSearches of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and PsychINFO for cohort, cross‐sectional and case–control studies were undertaken on the 31 March 2020 (from inception to 31 March 2020).Review methodsOnly prevalence or incidence rates for mental health conditions from validated tools were included. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by two reviewers. Meta‐analyses and subgroup analyses were produced for pandemic period (pre‐ and post), age, country income, country, clinical setting for major depression disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).ResultsNo studies of incidence were found. Prevalence estimates showed that the most common mental health condition was PTSD (21.7%) followed by anxiety disorder (16.1%), MDD (13.4%) and acute stress disorder (7.4%) (low risk of bias). For symptoms of these conditions there was substantial variation in the prevalence estimates for depression (95% confidence interval [CI]:31.8%; 60.5%), anxiety (95% CI:34.2%; 57.7%) and PTSD symptoms (95% CI,21.4%; 65.4%) (moderate risk of bias). Age, level of exposure and type of care professional were identified as important moderating factors.ConclusionMental disorders affect healthcare workers during and after infectious disease pandemics, with higher proportions experiencing symptoms.ImpactThis review provides prevalence estimates of mental health conditions during and after a pandemic which could be used to inform service staffing impact and formulation of preventative strategies, by identifying clinical populations who may be at high risk of developing mental health symptoms and conditions.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Depression Prevalence amongst Nigerian Students Pursuing Higher Education

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders currently going undiagnosed in many developing countries, including Nigeria. Stigmatization, inadequate financial resources, poor healthcare infrastructure for accurate diagnosis, and low research attention are contributing factors to the prevalence of depression among youths in West Africa. This study estimated the prevalence of depression among higher education students in Nigeria. Data was extracted and examined from 1225 publications by three independent reviewers. To minimize bias, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality guidelines was used to assess the data. Pooling of logit-transformed data was done using a generalized linear mixed-effects model, while restricted maximum likelihood was used to estimate between-study variance (τ2). Knapp-Hartung adjustments were included for calculating the confidence intervals around pooled effects, and R was used to calculate pooled estimates of depression prevalence. The risk factors of depression were examined by subgroup analyses and random-effect meta-regression models. Egger’s regression was used to check for publication bias in small-sampled studies with high prevalence estimates. Mean age of students across the 18 studies ranged from 19.09 to 26.3 years, with sample sizes ranging from 81 to 1482 participants. The pooled depression prevalence across studies was 26% (95% CI 0.18, 0.36) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 97%, τ2 = 0.9512). The subgroup analyses showed that higher education students in the Northwestern region of Nigeria have the highest depression prevalence (45.9%), followed by the South-South region (33%), Southeastern (22.1%), and Southwestern region (18.1%). Our findings show that depression among higher education students in Nigeria is highly prevalent. A significant proportion of higher education students in Nigeria are depressed. The factors contributing to the high depression prevalence, particularly among higher education students in the Northwestern region of Nigeria, should be investigated.

Prevalence of depression among physicians: A comprehensive meta-analysis

Depression among medical personnel is recognized worldwide as a serious problem, yet quantitative syntheses of prevalence studies are rare. We proceeded quantify and understand prevalence variation among physicians at the global levels. For this meta-analysis, we searched 6 databases, including: PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest using a comprehensive search strategy to identify prevalence of the physicians’ depression studies in the literature, published from inception of 1979. Studies reporting estimates of depression prevalence in physicians were included in the analyses. Studies quality was assessed with a prevalence risk of bias tool. Meta-regression was used to explore heterogeneity of the moderators we included in the analysis. Of the 3,156 studies initially identified, 33 were eligible for inclusion. These studies were geographically diverse (15 countries). The pooled prevalence rate for overall elder abuse was .243 (CI [.188; .306]; p&lt;.001). Meta-analysis of studies that included overall abuse revealed heterogeneity. Significant associations were found between overall prevalence estimates and region, but not for sampling allocation and severity of depression. In this meta-analysis, the summary estimate of the prevalence of depression among physicians is 24.3%, ranging from 2% to 65.3 % depending on the region from the studies. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for preventing and treating depression among physicians.

Understanding differences within ethnic group designation: comparing risk factors and health indicators between Iranian and Arab Americans in Northern California

BackgroundThe Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) ethnic group is a diverse group composed of two primary subsets in the United States: Iranian and Arab Americans. We aimed to compare health risk factors, chronic health conditions, and mental health conditions of Iranian and Arab American adults in Northern California.MethodsWe used cross-sectional electronic health record (EHR) data from a 2016 Northern California health plan study cohort to compare adults classified as Iranian or Arab American based on ethnicity, language, or surname. We produced age-standardized prevalence estimates of obesity, smoking, hyperlipidemia, prediabetes, diabetes, hypertension, depression, and anxiety for Iranian and Arab American men and women by age group (35–44, 45–64, and 65–84) and overall (35–84). We used generalized linear models to calculate prevalence ratios (PR) to compare Iranian and Arab American adults ages 35–84 on all health indicators.ResultsCompared to Arab Americans, Iranian Americans had a lower prevalence of obesity (PR: 0.77, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.73, 0.82), current smoking (PR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.89), and ever smoking (PR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.99), but a higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia (PR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.12), prediabetes (PR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.16), depression (PR; 1.41, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.52), and anxiety (PR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.42, 1.63). Similar patterns were observed for men and women.ConclusionThis work supports the need to collect granular data on race and ethnicity within the MENA ethnic group to improve identification in clinical care settings and population health reporting to better address the physical and mental health needs of different MENA subgroups.

Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression in frontline healthcare workers treating people with COVID-19 in Bangladesh

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) who are in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic are often under significant pressures that may predispose them to symptoms of poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among HCWs and factors correlated with mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. And, it also aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bangla version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and August, 2020. A self-reported online questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The survey included questions concerning socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work setting, as well as the HADS. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple linear regression analysis were performed.ResultsData from 803 HCWs (50.7% male; mean age: 27.3 [SD = 6.9]; age range: 18-58 years) were included in the final analysis. The Bangla HADS was psychometrically sound, and demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability (α = 0.83), and excellent construct validity. Prevalence estimates of anxiety and depression were 69.5%, and 39.5%, respectively, for less severe symptomology (at least borderline abnormal), and 41.2% and 15.7% for more severe (at least abnormal) symptomology. Regression analyses with the total HADS score as a dependent variable revealed significant (p < 0.05) associations with female gender, moderate and poor health status, infrequent physical exercising, smoking, having had regrets about one’s profession because of the pandemic and associated experiences, not updating on the latest COVID-19-related research, experiencing discrimination in the workplace, and facing social problems due to working in a lab or hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsSymptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The findings suggest a need for screening for mental health concerns, and employing early intervention to help these individuals.

Prevalence and correlates of depression among Black individuals in Canada: The major role of everyday racial discrimination

Depression is a common mental health problem causing significant disability globally, including in Canada. Prevalence estimates for depression within Black communities in Canada are unknown. This study determined the prevalence of depression in a sample of Black Canadians and the association between everyday racial discrimination experiences and depression. We analyzed data collected from the Black Community Mental Health project in Canada. Participants provided sociodemographic information and completed measures assessing depressive symptomology, everyday racial discrimination, and social support. The prevalence of depressive symptomatology was computed across sociodemographic variables and categories of everyday racial discrimination. Different regression models were conducted to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and everyday racism controlling for sociodemographic factors. In total, 65.87% of participants reported severe depressive symptoms, with higher rates among women, those who are employed, and those born in Canada. The linear regression models showed that everyday racial discrimination is the best predictor of depressive symptoms, with a final model explaining 25% of the variance. A logistic regression model demonstrated that those experiencing a high level of racial discrimination are 36.4 more likely to present severe depressive symptoms when compared to those reporting a low level of discrimination. Rates of depressive symptoms among Black individuals are nearly six times the 12-month prevalence reported for the general population in Canada. Racial discrimination, which significantly predicts greater depressive symptomatology, is consistent with earlier studies in the United States and suggests that Canadian colorblind policies may inadvertently reinforce racial discrimination with detrimental effects on mental health.

Prevalence estimates of depression and anxiety disorders among Icelandic University students when taking functional impairment into account

The aim of this study was to test whether adding assessment of functional impairment to symptoms of specific mental disorders would have any effect on estimated prevalence of mental disorders in a non-clinical sample of university students in Iceland. A self-report measure was designed to assess the subjective functional impairment of anxiety, depression and stress in students’ everyday life. Measures were administered on paper to 671 participants. We hypothesized that taking functional impairment into account would yield lower prevalence rates than using only specific symptoms measures. The results suggests that the addition of functional impairment measure lends a context to the results of the symptom-specific measures and can provide a more accurate estimation of mental health problems of university students than symptoms self-report measures alone.