Abstract
Background: Psychiatric disorders in Saudi Arabia, mainly depression and anxiety are estimated to have high prevalence. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of depression, and anxiety among Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) attendees in Dammam and Al-Qatif areas, Eastern Saudi Arabia and to identify possible predictors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in ten randomly selected PHCCs. The study sample consisted of 822 adult male attendees. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered validated Arabic version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic characteristics and questions to assess depression and anxiety. The PHQ scoring system was used to derive severity scores for both conditions. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 32.8% with mild depression accounting for 22.9%. The overall prevalence of anxiety was 22.3% with 17.0% of the attendees having mild degree of anxiety. Single marital status, younger age group, lower monthly income, and positive history of psychological and chronic disorders were statistically significantly associated with depression. Single marital status was statistically significantly associated with anxiety. Logistic regression analysis showed that, single marital status and positive history of psychological illness were significant predictors of depression; being single was the only predicting factor for the occurrence of anxiety. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of depression and anxiety among PHCCs male attendees was relatively high. Therefore, screening of mental illnesses, especially depression and anxiety should be implemented by PHC physicians during their routine activities. [Shaher Z. Al-Shehri, Amr A. Sabra, Attia Z. Taha, Ammar H. Khamis, Ahmed S. Hafez. Depression and Anxiety among Males Attending Primary Health Care Centers, Eastern Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Predictors. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):128-133]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 17