Point prevalence of major depression in Estonia. Results from the 2006 Estonian Health Survey

AimThe study focuses on the point prevalence of major depressive episode in the Estonian population in 2006 and assesses the relationship of sociodemographic factors, health status indicators, alcohol use, and previous depressive episodes to major depression.MethodsThe present major depressive episode was assessed within the nationally representative, cross-sectional 2006 Estonian Health Survey (EHIS 2006), in which non-institutionalized individuals aged 18–84 years (n = 6105) were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).ResultsThe point prevalence of major depressive episode in the Estonian population was 5.6%. Depression was higher among females, in the non-Estonian ethnic group, among people older than 40 years, and in the lower-income group.ConclusionsThe point prevalence of major depressive episodes was comparable with the results of other population surveys, being a little higher than the average. Age, income, ethnicity, health status, self-rated health, and previous depressive episode were independent associates of depression.