title: Prevalence of depressive disorders in Rasht, Iran: A community based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression is a well known health problem worldwide. Prevalence of depressive disorders varies in different societies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to determine the prevalence of depressive disorders and some associated factors in Rasht City (Northern part of Iran).
  
  
  METHODS
  4020 subjects were selected among 394925 residents of Rasht aged between 18-70 during 2003 - 2004. In the first phase, subjects were screened by Beck's Depression Inventory. In the second phase, those who scored more than 15 were assessed through semi-structured psychiatric interview (DSMIV-TR). Socio-demographic characteristics including age, gender, marital status, educational level, and socio-economic class were recorded as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  9.5% of samples (63% female and 37% male) were diagnosed by depressive disorders. The prevalence of minor depressive disorder, dysthymia and major depressive disorder was 5%, 2/5%, and 1% respectively. Socio-economic class was significantly associated with both depressive symptoms based on BDI score (p < 0.001) and depressive disorders based on clinical interview (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparing to other studies, this study revealed that prevalence of dysthymic and minor depressive disorder were more than major depressive disorder, and low socio-economic class was the most significant risk factor associated with depression. Regarding our study limitations, researchers and policy makers should not consider our findings as conclusive results. Findings of this study could be applied by researchers using analytical methodology to assess relationship between depressive disorders and associated factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. jafar_modabbernia@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohamad Jafar
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Modabernia
authors.forename: Hossein Shodjai
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Tehrani
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fallahi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shirazi
authors.forename: Amir Hossein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Modabbernia