Introduction
Our purpose was to determine the prevalence and
correlates of self-reported symptoms of depression and physician-diagnosed
depression and anxiety in Florida adults by using the 2006 Florida Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Methods
The BRFSS is an ongoing, state-based telephone health
survey of noninstitutionalized adults that uses random-digit dialing. In 2006,
an Anxiety and Depression Module was administered in Florida. Eight questions
were used to examine current depression. Two additional questions assessed
health care provider diagnosis of depressive and anxiety disorders. We used
SUDAAN version 9.0 to evaluate the data to accommodate the complex sampling
design.
Results
Approximately 9% of Florida adults experienced current
depression; about 13% had had a diagnosis of depression in their lifetime and
11% had a diagnosis of anxiety in their lifetime. Approximately 44% of
respondents with current depression had not had a diagnosis of depression.
Current depression and lifetime diagnosis of depression and anxiety were
independently associated with sociodemographic variables (being a woman, young,
previously married or never married, or unemployed or unable to work), adverse
health behaviors (current or former smoking, physical inactivity, or obesity),
and chronic health conditions (history of a stroke, diabetes, or asthma).
Although the prevalence of depression among non-Hispanic blacks and people with
low education levels is higher, members of these groups are less likely than
members of other sociodemographic groups to have had depression diagnosed by a
physician.
Conclusion
Depression and anxiety are associated with
sociodemographic disadvantages and chronic conditions and risk factors. Knowing
the prevalence of depression and anxiety, both self-rated and
physician-diagnosed, is useful in identifying unmet mental health needs among
subpopulations.