Western Journal of Medicine
Volume 163, Issue 4, 1995, Pages 341-345
Screening for depression among newly arrived vietnamese refugees in primary care settings (Article)
Buchwald D.* ,
Manson S.M. ,
Brenneman D.L. ,
Dinges N.G. ,
Keane E.M. ,
Beals J. ,
Kinzie J.D.
-
a
Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
-
b
Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
-
c
Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
-
d
Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
-
e
Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
-
f
Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
-
g
Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
Abstract
A brief, culture-specific, self-report screening measure for depression, the Vietnamese Depression Scale, was used to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among 1,998 consecutive adult Vietnamese refugees who presented at 10 public health clinics within 2 months of their arrival in the United States. Of these patients, 6% met the criterion for a probable case of depression ('positive'). Being divorced, separated, or widowed and poorly educated were strongly associated with a greater likelihood of screening positive. Somatic complaints were common and induced considerable anxiety about physical health status. Nearly a third of the patients reported sadness and dysphoria; culture-specific symptoms of depression also were prevalent. Our findings document the feasibility of screening for depression using the Vietnamese Depression Scale among Vietnamese refugees, particularly in primary care settings where they are first likely to be seen by health professionals after arrival in their host country.
Author Keywords
[No Keywords available]
Index Keywords
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0029563261&partnerID=40&md5=fb1898e606b2c5356534a7ff610493f4
ISSN: 00930415
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English