Recommendations of the Sardinian public for the treatment of depression.
BACKGROUND
Public beliefs about appropriate treatment impact, help-seeking and treatment adherence.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the recommendations of the Sardinian public for the treatment of depression.


METHODS
In 2012, a population-based survey was conducted by phone in Sardinia (N = 1,200). In the context of a fully structured interview, respondents were presented with a vignette depicting a case of depression. Subsequently, they were asked about their treatment recommendations. The results are contrasted with findings from a similar survey which had been conducted in Vienna 3 years before.


RESULTS
In Sardinia as in Vienna, psychotherapy was the uncontested favorite, while antidepressant medication was recommended by relatively few respondents. In Sardinia, there were also no marked differences between urban and rural areas with regard to these two treatments. However, between Sardinia and Vienna, as well as within Sardinia, great differences were found with regard to autogenic training and 'alternative' methods like homeopathic medicines and acupuncture.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-cultural comparisons may help better understand treatment preferences of the public. In Sardinia, as in Vienna, there seems to be a need for improving the public's knowledge about the appropriate treatment of depression.
Department of Public Health, Centro di Psichiatria di Consultazione e Psicosomatica, University of Cagliari, Italy mgcarta@tiscali.it.
Mauro G
MG
Carta
Department of Public Health, Centro di Psichiatria di Consultazione e Psicosomatica, University of Cagliari, Italy Center for Public Mental Health, Gösing am Wagram, Austria.
Matthias C
MC
Angermeyer
Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany Institute of Medical Sociology, Social Medicine and Health Economics, University of Hamburg, Germany.
Herbert
H
Matschinger
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
Anita
A
Holzinger
Department of Public Health, Centro di Psichiatria di Consultazione e Psicosomatica, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Elisa
E
Pintus
Department of Public Health, Centro di Psichiatria di Consultazione e Psicosomatica, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Mirra
M
Pintus
Department of Public Health, Centro di Psichiatria di Consultazione e Psicosomatica, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Maria F
MF
Moro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001317:Austria; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011639:Public Opinion; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents
Attitudes; cross-cultural study; major depressive disorder; population survey; treatment