Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors Among Adult Eritreans in Norway

Background: The higher rates of depression among immigrant populations are often attributed to socioeconomic disadvantage, adverse life events and other pre-migration circumstances and challenges with reintegration process. We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and examine the associated factors among Eritrean immigrants living in Oslo and surrounding areas. Method: A convenience sample of 243 adult Eritreans, 114 women and 129 men, aged 35.7 ( SD 9.7) years were enrolled. A battery of structured instruments was administered to assess the sociodemographic, psychiatric, and acculturation-related variables, including the screening of depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological studies-Depression scale (CES-D) and major depression (recent 2-weeks and 12 months) using the Major Depression Inventory (MDI). Statistical analyses were conducted using χ 2 -tests, Student’s t -tests, and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence rates of past week depressive symptoms, current and 12 months’ depression in the sample were 0.8%, 1.2% and 16.9% respectively. Factors associated with 12-month depression were increasing age, longer duration of stay since migration, presence of PTSD symptoms and higher number of adverse life events experienced. PTSD symptoms (OR = 4.2 (95% CI: 1.9 to 9.3, p < .001) and the number of adverse life events (OR = 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.1, p < .001) were identified as independent correlates of 12-month depression. Conclusion: Every 6th Eritrean in our sample was found to screen positive for 12-month depression, with almost 15% participants reporting that life was not worth living. The study findings call for targeted programmes to address poor mental health among this group of immigrants.