Depression rates and health-seeking behavior in primary care: Andersen model of health- care utilization

ABSTRACT

Depression imposes a tremendous burden on the health-care systems. Many patients prefer informal (family & friends) over formal mental health services (MHS) provided by professionals. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression among primary care patients and to examine the factors predicting seeking MHS using the Andersen Health Care Utilization Model. We interviewed 300 primary care patients in Jordan. The mean age was 39.85 ± 14.45, and 80% were women. 35.7% had depression, and 28.7% had significant depression impairing daily function. The most commonly reported source of help was family members and less than one-third had the intention to seek formal MHS. The predisposing-factors domain was the only predictive of seeking MHS in depression and suicide, whereas the ‘enabling’ and ‘need’ domains were not. Knowledge, stigma and life satisfaction were predictive of seeking formal MHS. Raising awareness and empowering doctors to screen for depression is needed as less than a third would seek formal MHS.

KEYWORDS:

• Depression
• suicide
• stigma
• Health/Help-seeking
• Jordan

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Limitations

The sample size is small and is in one center, yet it gives an idea about the regular primary-care patient.

Interviewing patients presenting solely with depressive symptoms might better represent the true HSB.

Ethical Considerations and funding

The study received funding from the Deanship of Scientific Research and was approved by the IRB committee at Jordan University Hospital. The authors declare no competing interests.