[Multilevel Modelling on the Prevalence and Determinants of Depressive Symptoms in Middle and Old-aged Rural-to-urban Immigrants in Chengdu]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms in middle and old-aged rural-to-urban immigrants in Chengdu.

Methods: A total of 1 645 middle and old-aged rural-to-urban immigrants aged over 45 yr. were selected to participate in a questionnaire survey through a multi-stage random sampling method in Chengdu. Multilevel (households and individuals) models were established to identify predictors of depressive symptoms.

Results: About 14.5% of respondents reported depressive symptoms. The multilevel model indicated that family clustering of depressive symptoms existed. Household income and length of urban life at the household level, and age, chronic diseases, smoking, and social support at the individual level were significant predictors of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in middle and old-aged rural-to-urban immigrants deserves increasing policy attention for the purpose of promoting mental health in the population.

Keywords: CES-D; Depression; Middle and old-aged; Rrural-to-urban migration.