Indigenous community care: Documented depression in patients with diabetes

Damin Si*, Michelle Dowden, Catherine Kennedy, Rhonda Cox, Lynette O'Donoghue, Helen Liddle, Ru Kwedza, Christine Connors, Sandra Thompson, Hugh Burke, Alex Brown, Tarun Weeramanthri, Gill Shierhout, Ross Bailie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: This article reports on documented levels of depression among people with diabetes attending indigenous primary care centres. Method: Between 2005 and 2009, clinical audits of diabetes care were conducted in 62 indigenous community health centres from four Australian states and territories. Results: The overall prevalence of documented depression among people with diabetes was 8.8%. Fourteen (23%) of the 62 health centres had no record of either diagnosed depression or prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors among people with diabetes. For the remaining 48 centres, 3.3-36.7% of people with diabetes had documented depression. Discussion: The results of this study are inconsistent with the evidence showing high prevalence of mental distress among indigenous people. A more thorough investigation into the capacity, methods and barriers involved in diagnosing and managing depression in indigenous primary care is needed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)331-333
Number of pages3
JournalAustralian Family Physician
Volume40
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - May 2011
Externally publishedYes

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