Depression and health-seeking behaviour among migrant workers in Shenzhen

This study describes the prevalence of depression symptoms and its impact on health-seeking behaviour among Chinese migrant workers in a sample of 1,533 Shenzhen residents.

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered in Shenzhen with a random sample of 859 registered and 674 non-registered residents. The 20-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) scale was used to measure depression symptoms. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to assess healthcare services utilisation.

Non-registered residents were more likely to have clinically significant depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥ 16) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.81; confidence interval (CI) = 1.18, 2.76). Despite this, depressed non-registered residents had no significant difference in health-seeking behaviour when compared to those without depression (OR = 2.86; CI = 0.98, 8.32), while in contrast, depressed registered residents had a positive and stronger association with healthcare services utilisation and/or self-medication (OR = 3.34; CI = 1.28, 8.71).

The findings suggest higher prevalence of depression but less utilisation of healthcare services or self-medication among migrant residents. That migrants with depression lack access to healthcare suggests healthcare inequality. Psychological disorders require careful management and treatment; the mismatch in their health needs and access to care may contribute to the Inverse-care law.