The effects of sociodemographic factors on depression management

Objective: To explore the effect of sociodemographic factors on response rate to antidepressants therapy in depression management. Methods: A prospective study design of 6 follow-ups per patient after the initial contact was employed. Follow-up was done every 4 weeks for up to the 24 th week per patient that completed the study. Degree of depression was determined using the International Classification of Disease-10 criteria, whereas severity of depression was assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-depression (HADS-D) instrument. Outcome (depression-free) was measured at initial contact and also for each follow-up using HADS-D score. Chi-square and analysis of variance were used. Results: Fifty-one respondents out of 112 patients (46%) completed the study, and hence the sample size was 51 respondents. Females accounted for 65% (33) of the sample. Those who attained at least secondary level of education, and personal income as gave a P < 0.05 with regard to decrease HADS-D scores compare to when the study started, whereas the decrease HADS-D scores of sex and all age groups also gave a similar P < 0.05 as at the last follow-up of the study. Conclusion: Education status and personal income appear to affect the rate of response to antidepressant medications.