[The knowledge and attitudes of the public towards depression: an Istanbul population sample].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the public's knowledge and attitudes towards depression and associated sociodemographic factors.


METHODS
The survey was conducted in 2000 using face-to-face interviews in the homes of 707 adults in 24 different districts of Istanbul. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of sociodemographic factors on attitudes towards depression.


RESULTS
The results indicate that 78.9% diagnosed the depression vignette as a mental disorder. 86.6% of the sample considered "social environmental factors" and 68.2% "weak personality" to be as the cause of depression. 43.4% of the population thought that people with depression are aggressive, and 22.8% believe that their freedom should be restricted. 51.9% percent of the subjects thought that the patient defined in the vignette should consult a physician. 94.5% percent of the respondents who thought of depression as an illness believe that depression is treatable and 54.9% of the respondents consider that the drugs used to treat depression have serious side effects. When the effect of sociodemographic factors on community attitudes was analyzed by logistic regression, age was found to have the most significant influence on community attitudes towards depression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the public identifies depression as an illness, has a tendency to perceive depression as a social problem, believes that depression could be treated by drugs, has incorrect knowledge about drugs and treatment, and is in doubt about the acceptance of depressive patients in society.
Ozmen
Erol
E
Celal Bayar U. Tip Fak., Psikiyatri AD., Manisa.
Ogel
Kültegin
K
Boratav
Cumhur
C
Sağduyu
Afşin
A
Aker
Tamer
T
Tamar
Defne
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology