Rural-urban differences in the prevalence and predictors of depression among adolescents in South Africa

Abstract

Background. Mental health is part of overall health, but there is dearth of research on the rural–urban differences of depression among adolescents in South Africa (SA). 

Objectives. To present an analysis of rural–urban differences in the prevalence of depression and to assess the sociodemographic predictors of depression among adolescents in SA. 

Methods. Data were obtained from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), wave 4 of 2014, which was conducted on a nationally representative sample of 3 751 respondents (15 - 19 years). Univariate analysis was used to describe the study population while bivariate analysis was used to test for significant differences in the depression status of the population. Finally, binary logistic regression was used to estimate the predictors of depression. 

Results. Urban adolescents (14.64%) were more depressed than their rural counterparts (9.40%). Gender, income levels and province of residence also showed significant differences in both rural and urban areas. The significant predictors of depression in both rural and urban areas were race, age, income and province of residence. 

Conclusion. Counselling and rehabilitation programmes should be targeted more at urban, more educated and higher-earning adolescents, especially in provinces with a relatively higher prevalence of depression.