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Depression, anxiety and stress in primary health care users

Aim: Describe levels of depression, anxiety and stress among users of an urban/rural health centre, analyse sex differences and comorbidity between depression, anxiety and stress. Method: Descriptive co-relational study with a Portuguese version of DASS-21; consecutive sample (n=343). Results: 40.52%, 43.48% and 45.06% of individuals present some degree of depression, anxiety and of stress, respectively. Severe or very severe levels of disturbance were found in 20.87% (anxiety), 22.38% (stress) and 12.24% (depression) of individuals. Women present higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Depression, Anxiety and Stress are strongly and positively associated. Conclusion: These results show high point prevalence - higher than in other countries - and reveal differences in sex as well as comorbidity. They may allow for the development of a local and community intervention strategy for mental health promotion and disease prevention, particularly for women.

Depression; Anxiety; Primary Health Care


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