The prevalence of depression among Albanian population aged 15-59: some results from ADHS 2017/2018

Entela Neziri¹, Rudina Çumashi¹, Romina Hala¹, Ervisa Demollari², Gentiana Qirjako^1,2

¹Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania;

²Health Care Services Operator;

³Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.

Aim: Depression is a complex mental and emotional condition, commonly associated with being sad, despairing mood and with decrease of mental productivity and reduction of drive. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression in Albania population.

Methodology:Albanian Demographic Health Survey 2017/2018 is a nationally representative survey designed to provide information on population and health issues in Albania. In total, 16955 households, 15000 females and 6142 males aged 15-59 years, participated in the survey. Measurement of depression included question about feeling depressed in the past two weeks or if they ever were diagnosed by a health professional with depression.

Results: The proportion of respondents age 15-59 who reported having felt depressed a lot of the time in the 2 weeks preceding the survey was 11% among women and 16% among men. This phenomenon was more prevalent among males in both, urban and rural areas compared with females (17% vs. 8% in urban areas and 14% vs. 12% in rural areas). Only 2% of women and 4% of men age 15-59 have reported this issue to a health professional. Household wealth also influences the experience of depression: 14% of women in the lowest wealth quintile report having been depressed a lot of the time, and 4% report having been depressed all of the time in the 2 weeks before the survey. Among women in the highest quintile, these proportions are respectively 5% and less than 1%.

Conclusion:The results of ADHS 2017/2018 regarding to mental health issues need to be analyzed carefully. The higher level of depression among males compared to females need further investigations. There is an urgent need to work more on promoting health behaviours among Albanian population for increasing the quality of life.

Keywords:Albanian population, ADHS 2017/2018,depression.