RESUMO
The objectives of this population based study were to quantify the prevalence of depression among adults in Alexandria, to identify some of its determinants as well as to reveal gender differences in its presentation. 300 adults were surveyed in their households [10 from each of 30 clusters of the governorate]. The self administered Beck's inventory for usage in primary care settings was used for identifying the depression state. The prevalence rate was 11% with a non significant higher proportion among males. Mean age of depressed subjects was higher than the free Age interval with highest percentage of cases was 50-60 years. Epidemiologic variables that were found to be significantly associated with a higher rate of the condition were being divorced or widowed, a positive recent history of stressful life events and having a positive personal history of psychological troubles. On the other hand, examined factors like financial state, working status and whether the person is a bread earner or dependent in the family had no association with the state of depression. Male cases were younger than female ones they also had a higher mean score on the depression scale. The genders differed significantly in scores of psychopathological parameters related to hopelessness, low self esteem, loss of sexual interest, loss of pleasure, guilt, self reproach and suicidal ideation. The authors recommend active case finding for depression at the primary care level, instituting counseling services for marriage and family relations, intensifying mass media health education directed to mechanisms of coping with life stresses and restudying the gender differences in epidemiology of depression in a large scale community research