title: Prevalence and predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms among Chinese and Malawian children: a cross-cultural comparative cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multicultural comparative studies have recently increased scientific knowledge base regarding the mental health of diverse populations. This cross-cultural study was cross-sectionally designed to assess differences in the prevalence and predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms between Chinese and Malawian children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 478 children (237 Chinese and 241 Malawians) were randomly recruited in the study. The participants completed a Children Depression Inventory in the dimensions of Negative Mood, Interpersonal Problems, Ineffectiveness, Anhedonia, and Negative Self- Esteem. They further provided demographic and family structure information. Data were analyzed by Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms was 16% and 12.4% for Chinese and Malawian study participants, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fighting among siblings (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.1, 95% CI, 3.5-5.9), fighting among children and parents (aOR = 7.7, 95% CI, 4.6-9.8) and living with father only (aOR = 4.1, 95% CI, 3.4-6.7) were significant predictors of clinically significant depressive symptoms among Chinese study participants. On the other hand, clinically significant depressive symptoms were predicted by employment status of a mom only among Malawian study participants (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI, 2.3-5.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that diverse cultures affect children's mental health differently and this cluster of children has a noticeable amount of depressive symptoms that in the least requires further diagnosis and preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Tongzipo Road 172, Changsha 410013. zgambo.maggie@yahoo.ca.
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zgambo
authors.forename: Fatch Welcome
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Kalembo
authors.forename: Honghong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guoping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Sanmei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires