High rates of depressive symptoms in STD clinic patients.
BACKGROUND
Depressed mood syndromes may limit the ability of patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to process risk reduction messages and change behavior. We undertook screening for depression in an urban STD clinic.


OBJECTIVE
To define the prevalence of depressed mood among STD patients in Baltimore, Maryland.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 125 patients presenting to an STD clinic completed the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Endorsement of > or = 6 depressive symptom items on the GHQ was considered probable depression.


RESULTS
Of 125 patients screened, 39.2% had GHQ scores above the threshold. Women were more likely to have probable depression than men (51.9% versus 31.9%, P = 0.023). There was no association of substance use and depressed mood, nor of a diagnosed STD and depressed mood.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptom rates are extremely high among STD patients, which may compromise the success of risk reduction counseling.
Erbelding
E J
EJ
Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA. eerbeldi@jhmi.edu
Hummel
B
B
Hogan
T
T
Zenilman
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population