Prevalence of Depression among patients attending the Primary Health Care Clinics in Kuwait

Background: Depressive disorder is one of the most severe mental problems, characterized by mood lowering under the influence of which there are changes in thinking, perception, physical condition, behavior and social functioning of a person. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression and its association with socio-demographic characteristics among patients attending mental and Primary Health care clinics in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five primary healthcare regions in Kuwait for screening of adult consumers for depression between September 2017 and September 2018. The data were collected by interviewing a sample of 800 (326 male and 474 female visitors, response rate 91.4%) by using the Arabic and English versions of Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Results: Based on the interpretation of PHQ-9 scores, it was found that out of 800 (326 males and 474 females) there were 262 (32.7%) patients who had no depression, 171 (21.4%) suffered from mild depression, 105 (13.1%) suffered from moderate depression, 58 (7.2%) suffered from moderate to severe depression, and 33 (4.1%) suffered from severe depression. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of moderate to severe depression among PHC consumers in Kuwait was relatively high (24.4%) and its occurrence was more in Kuwaiti 's older than 35 years, married, females, working participants, low educated individuals and having low monthly income. Trained primary health care physicians in mental health clinics should be responsible for screening, treatment and appropriate referral to hospital.