title: A nationwide population-based study of depression in Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The state of mental health of the population is considered to be an important and essential component of public health. Depression is the mental disorder with greatest prevalence in several countries around the world.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a nationwide Brazilian survey with household-based interviews. The sampling process was at random and cluster-based, and performed in three stages: census tracts, households and individuals. One inhabitant aged ≥18 years was selected per household. Individuals at greater risk of depression were identified through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) algorithm, which uses internationally accepted diagnostic criteria. All analyses took into account sample weights.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 60,202 individuals were evaluated and the prevalence of positive screening for depression was 4.1% (95% CI: 3.8-4.4%). After adjustments for potential confounding factors, depression was found to be greater among women, individuals aged either 40-59 years or 80 years or over, individuals living in urban areas, those with lower educational level, smokers, and among individuals with arterial hypertension, diabetes and heart disorders. Skin colour, marital status and alcohol abuse were not associated with depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characteristics of respondents and non-respondents in the sample could not be compared because data about non-respondents was not available.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of positive screening for depression in Brazil was similar to other studies conducted worldwide. In Brazil, this proportion reflects a considerable absolute number of people with greater risk of depression (≈5.5 million) that may require adequate management through the health system and services.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: tyagomunhoz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tiago N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Munhoz
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: nunesbp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bruno P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: fcwehrmeister@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Fernando C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wehrmeister
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: inasantos@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Iná S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil; Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: amatija@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matijasevich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adult; Cross-sectional studies; Depression; Depressive disorders; Mental health