Epidemiology of depression in Latin America.

The focus of this review will center on the Epidemiology of affective disorders in Latin America. The prevalence seems to be very similar in the general population. Argentina reports 12%, Chile 15.3%, Dominican Republic 9.8% and Peru 11%. In non-psychiatric outpatient program, the prevalence is 53% in Costa Rica, 40% in Cuba, 39% in Dominican Republic and 19% in Mexico. Women outnumber men in all samples. There are reports of higher prevalence in special groups: Mariategui found 25% in Lima and Vega 26% in Mexico. It is suggested that the Latin American Socio-Economic situation may be an important determinant of these high rates.