[Estimation of prevalence of depressive episodes in French adolescents]

Although the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders are important public health issues in adolescents, epidemiological data in this population are scarce.

The aims of this study were to estimate the 12-month prevalence rates of depressive disorders among ninth grade pupils in French schools, and to identify the sociodemographic correlates.

The data were collected through a national cross-sectional study conducted among ninth grade pupils in France in 2003-2004. Depressive disorders were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire derived from the standardised Composite International Diagnosis Interview-Short Form (CIDI-SF).

A total of 7110 teenagers (mean age 15.1 years) were included. Of these, 9.6% (95% CI 8.6-10.6) reported symptoms corresponding to at least one major depressive episode (MDE) over the past 12 months. Three correlates were independently associated with a higher prevalence of 12-month MDE: being a female (adjusted odds ratio 3.0; 95% CI 2.4-3.8), being greater or equal to 16 years old (aOR=2.2; 95% CI 1.0-5.0) and living alone with one's mother (aOR=1.7; 95% CI 1.3-2.4) or with one's mother and her spouse (aORa=1.4; 95% CI 1.0-2.1).

The high prevalence of depressive disorders in French adolescents is thoroughly discussed. The needs for developing mental health surveillance, comprehensive prevention and care programs for this population are crucial.