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The Influence of Socio-Economic Conditions On the Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Covariates in an Elderly Population With Slight Income Differences: the Bambuí Health and Aging Study (Bhas)

Public Health and Aging Research Group, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation René Rachou Research Institute and Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

M.F. Lima-Costa

Public Health and Aging Research Group, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation René Rachou Research Institute and Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

S.V. Peixoto

Public Health and Aging Research Group, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation René Rachou Research Institute and Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

J.O.A. Firmo

Public Health and Aging Research Group, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation René Rachou Research Institute and Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

E. Castro-Costa

Health Services Research Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

E. Uchoa

Public Health and Aging Research Group, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation René Rachou Research Institute and Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, uchoae{at}cpqrr.fiocruz

Background: The influence of socio-economic conditions on covariates of depression has received little attention.

Aims: Examine whether prevalence and covariates of depressive symptoms are affected by socio-economic circumstances.

Methods: Participants were 1,499 (86%) residents in Bambuí city, Brazil, aged ->- 60 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the GHQ-12 questionnaire and exploratory variables included demographic characteristics, life events, social support, health conditions and health service use. The analysis was stratified by family income (< US$240.00 [lowest tertile] vs. ->- US$240.00).

Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in those with lower income (43.9%) in comparison with the better off (27.7%). Dissatisfaction with relationships, worse self-rated health and insomnia were independently associated with depressive symptoms in both income groups (OR from 2.00 to 4.74; p < 0.05). Depressive symptoms were associated with number of chronic diseases, functional disability and hospitalizations among the poorer (OR from 1.73 to 2.37; p < 0.05), while old age (OR 2.08) and female gender (OR 2.03) were associated with depressive symptoms among the better off.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their covariates are influenced by socio-economic conditions in a population with slight income differences.

Key Words: Brazil • depressive symptoms • elderly • General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) • socio-economic influence

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54, No. 5, 447-456 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090792


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