Depression in adult Nigerians: results from the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-being.
BACKGROUND
Community-based studies of the rates and profile of depression among Africans are still sparse.


METHODS
As part of the World Mental Health Surveys initiative, a clustered multi-stage sampling of households in 21 of Nigeria's 36 states (representing 57% of the national population) was implemented to select adults aged 18 years and over (N=6752) for face-to-face interviews using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). Diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE) was based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition.


RESULTS
Lifetime and 12-month estimates of MDE were 3.1% (standard error 0.3) and 1.1% (s.e. 0.1), receptively. Increasing age was associated with higher estimates of positive responses to stem (screen) questions for depression and of lifetime disorders among stem-positive respondents. The mean age of onset was about 29.2 years. The median (inter quartile range, IQR) duration of an episode among lifetime cases was 1.0 (2.0-2.4) year and the median (IQR) number of lifetime episodes was 1.5 (2.0-2.8). MDE was highly comorbid with anxiety disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain and ulcer. The odds ratio of lifetime suicide attempt among persons with lifetime MDE was 11.6 (95% confidence interval, 3.9-34.9). Over 25% of 12-month cases were rated as severely disabled in the performance of usual roles. Only 16.9% (s.e. 5.0) of 12-month cases had received any treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
All data were based on self-reports.


CONCLUSIONS
MDE, defined according to DSM-IV, is a risk factor for mental and physical comorbidity as well as disability in Nigerians. Age-related telescoping or denial may partly explain the low rates in this young population.
Gureje
Oye
O
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. ogureje@comui.edu.ng
Uwakwe
Richard
R
Oladeji
Bibilola
B
Makanjuola
Victor O
VO
Esan
Oluyomi
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult