BACKGROUND: Since the current epidemiology of depression is not well documented in Latin America, we conducted a community-based survey study in Argentina. METHODS: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a general health questionnaire were completed by 1335 adult participants, representing most of the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. RESULTS: Prevalence of high total BDI scores (≥13) indicating probable current clinically significant depression was 20.0% (women: 20.6%; men: 19.6%). Probable depression was associated with being unmarried and older, less educated, reporting recent stressors and significant medical illness. LIMITATIONS: Sampling was cross-sectional and by convenience; probable depression was not verified by clinical assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Within methodological limits, probable current clinically significant depression was highly prevalent in an urban community sample in Argentina, at rates and with risk factors similar to those found in other world regions.
BACKGROUND: Since the current epidemiology of depression is not well documented in Latin America, we conducted a community-based survey study in Argentina. METHODS: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a general health questionnaire were completed by 1335 adult participants, representing most of the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. RESULTS: Prevalence of high total BDI scores (≥13) indicating probable current clinically significant depression was 20.0% (women: 20.6%; men: 19.6%). Probable depression was associated with being unmarried and older, less educated, reporting recent stressors and significant medical illness. LIMITATIONS: Sampling was cross-sectional and by convenience; probable depression was not verified by clinical assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Within methodological limits, probable current clinically significant depression was highly prevalent in an urban community sample in Argentina, at rates and with risk factors similar to those found in other world regions.