Prevalence of Depressive Disorders and Associated Factors among Adult Population of Dubai 2019

Background: Globally, depressive disorders are one of the leading causes of ill mental health and disability affecting about 1 in 4 people at some point in their lives. Population-level data on depressive disorders in the region are sparse yet essential for health sectors. This is the first population estimate for the prevalence of depressive disorders and associated factors in Dubai. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders and the associated factors among adults aged ≥18 years in the Emirate of Dubai 2019. Method: This is a complex-design cross-sectional population survey targeting Dubai residents aged ≥18 years. This study was part of the Dubai Household Survey 2019 (DHHS-2019). The total number of participants was 2,244, with a response rate of 91.6%. The design was a 2-stage stratified cluster sample. Trained investigators conducted computer-assisted face-to-face interviews using the World Health Survey questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) screening. Analysis was design-based adjusting for weight, primary sampling unit, and stratum. Results: The overall prevalence of depressive disorders was 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6%–3.4%). Screening revealed 1.9% (95% CI: 1.2%–2.9%) of participants were positive for depressive disorders, with no prior diagnosis constituting approximately 74% of the depressed. Factors associated with depression were adjusted using logistic regression and revealed significantly higher odds of depressive disorders among the following: unmarried (single, divorced, and widowed) comparing to married (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2–6.3) and smokers than nonsmokers (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4–8.0). Employment was found to be a protective factor and reduced the odds of having depressive disorders by 80% comparing to unemployed (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.7). Moreover, those suffering from health conditions had higher odds for having depressive disorders, such as chest pain (OR: 20.2, 95% CI: 5.5–74.8), history of tuberculosis (TB) (OR: 12.6, 95% CI: 2.1–76.8), and history of stroke (OR: 22.5, 95% CI: 6.8–74.2). Conclusion: The prevalence of depressive disorders was relatively low in Dubai compared to most countries. However, approximately 74% of individuals with depression were undiagnosed, indicating the need for screening programs. The odds of having depressive disorders were significantly higher among unmarried, unemployed, smokers, and those with a history of TB and stroke