Depression in Trinidad and Tobago: incidence and social trends

ABSTRACT

Depression is a major problem worldwide and ranks within the first five common burden of disease affecting mankind. Raising rates of depression among youths and its association with the use of intoxicants present a major challenge to health care policy planner and governments alike. This chapter reviews major trends in adolescent depression in secondary schools in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and independently in the sister isle of Tobago. Incidence rates of 14% were found in Trinidad and Tobago and 10.1% in Tobago indicative of differences in population composition and social trends in both islands. Social parameters of gender differences, age cohort, attendance to religious institutions, prayer with the family, family use of alcohol, type of school attended, ethnicity and family structures were investigated. These variables were found to be significant contributory factors to adolescent depression in the Republic. An understanding of early depression in diverse communities will be helpful in reducing the global burden of common diseases.