The influence of socio-economic conditions on the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its covariates in an elderly population with slight income differences: the Bambuí Health and Aging Study (BHAS).
BACKGROUND
The influence of socio-economic conditions on covariates of depression has received little attention.


OBJECTIVE
Examine whether prevalence and covariates of depressive symptoms are affected by socio-economic circumstances.


METHODS
Participants were 1,499 (86%) residents in Bambuí city, Brazil, aged ->- 60 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the GHQ-12 questionnaire and exploratory variables included demographic characteristics, life events, social support, health conditions and health service use. The analysis was stratified by family income (<US$240.00 [lowest tertile] vs. ->- US$240.00).


RESULTS
The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in those with lower income (43.9%) in comparison with the better off (27.7%). Dissatisfaction with relationships, worse self-rated health and insomnia were independently associated with depressive symptoms in both income groups (OR from 2.00 to 4.74; p<0.05). Depressive symptoms were associated with number of chronic diseases, functional disability and hospitalizations among the poorer (OR from 1.73 to 2.37; p<0.05), while old age (OR 2.08) and female gender (OR 2.03) were associated with depressive symptoms among the better off.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their covariates are influenced by socio-economic conditions in a population with slight income differences.
Carvalhais
S M M
SM
Public Health and Aging Research Group, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation René Rachou Research Institute and Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Lima-Costa
M F
MF
Peixoto
S V
SV
Firmo
J O A
JO
Castro-Costa
E
E
Uchoa
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires