Prevalence of depressive symptoms and related factors in Türkiye: results of the 2016 and 2019 Turkish health survey

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the prevalence and distribution of depressive symptoms in individuals aged 15 and older, as well as the relationship between depressive symptoms and sociodemographic characteristics, chronic diseases, health status and health behaviors. Method: The analysis of data collected from the Türkiye Health Surveys conducted by Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSAT) in 2016 and 2019 involved using the Chi-Square independence test. Effect sizes were evaluated using Phi or Cramer’s V coefficients. Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) module was used to scan the depressive symptoms. Results: The adult population’s point of prevalence of depressive symptoms was 4.7%±0.24 in males and 8%±0.19 in females, with a population total of 6.3%±0.21. The yearly prevalence of depressive symptoms was 6.1%±0.45 in males, 13.2%±0.53 in females and a population total of 10%±0.49. Age, gender, income, education, social support, health status, disability, and chronic illnesses were found to be significant predictors of the incidence of depressive symptoms (p<0,05). The results indicated that the rate of people with depression getting help from psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists was low. Conclusion: Age, gender, income, education, marital status, self-rated health status, social support, number of chronic illnesses, and disability were the most important risk factors for depressive episodes. In addition to such self-reported research completed before the pandemic and Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye, further studies based on structured diagnostic interviews are required.