The Influence of Socio-economic Conditions on the Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Covariates in an Elderly Population with Slight Income Differences: the Bambuí Health and Aging Study (BHAS)

Background: The influence of socio-economic conditions on covariates of depression has received little attention.

Aims: Examine whether prevalence and covariates of depressive symptoms are affected by socio-economic circumstances.

Methods: Participants were 1,499 (86%) residents in Bambuí city, Brazil, aged ->- 60 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the GHQ-12 questionnaire and exploratory variables included demographic characteristics, life events, social support, health conditions and health service use. The analysis was stratified by family income (<US$240.00 [lowest tertile] vs. ->- US$240.00).

Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in those with lower income (43.9%) in comparison with the better off (27.7%). Dissatisfaction with relationships, worse self-rated health and insomnia were independently associated with depressive symptoms in both income groups (OR from 2.00 to 4.74; p<0.05). Depressive symptoms were associated with number of chronic diseases, functional disability and hospitalizations among the poorer (OR from 1.73 to 2.37; p<0.05), while old age (OR 2.08) and female gender (OR 2.03) were associated with depressive symptoms among the better off.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their covariates are influenced by socio-economic conditions in a population with slight income differences.