Anadep Survey: Depression

© Stéphanie Lucas - Marie Monbrun

The Anadep survey, specifically focused on depression, was conducted in 2005 among a representative general population of people aged 15 to 75 residing in metropolitan France. The survey methodology follows the model of the INPES Health Barometers: it is a cross-sectional survey conducted by telephone, using a random sample. The survey was conducted among 6,498 people. Nearly 18% of respondents reported having experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) during their lifetime. Among them, 27.8% reported that such an episode had occurred within the past 12 months, representing a prevalence of 5.0% for the entire sample. The prevalence of MDEP among women was more than twice that observed among men (7.2% versus 2.7%). Furthermore, the disorders were more frequently severe among women than among men: 4.1% of women reported symptoms of severe MDD and 3.0% those of mild or moderate MDD in the past 12 months, compared to 1% and 1.7% of men, respectively. Being single, divorced, or widowed, as well as living alone, were family situations strongly associated with the onset of EDM. Being economically inactive or unemployed was also strongly associated with EDM. Furthermore, the prevalence of EDM was twice as high among those who had been unemployed for more than two years compared to those who had been unemployed for a shorter period. Precariousness, as measured by the perception of receiving social assistance, also appeared to be closely linked to EDM.

Major depressive episodes among school-aged youth: the triennial cycle of school-based surveys

The triennial cycle of school-based health surveys (or triennial cycle of surveys on the health of school-aged children and adolescents), established by the Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation, and Statistics (Drees) since the 1999-2000 school year, is conducted alternately in kindergarten’s senior class, ninth grade, and fourth grade (CM2). During the 2003-2004 school year, the survey was conducted in ninth-grade classes (general, technological, integration, or adapted general and vocational education tracks). A self-administered questionnaire on major depressive episodes (MDE) was introduced as part of this survey. The national sample included 7,110 students with an average age of 15.1 years. Among the adolescents surveyed, 9.6% reported symptoms consistent with at least one MDE in the past 12 months. Three factors were independently associated with a higher probability of experiencing an MDEP during this period: being female, being 16 years of age or older, and living with one’s mother alone or with one’s mother and her partner. The prevalence of EDM over the past year was higher among adolescents with asthma, and an association between EDM and uncontrolled asthma in these adolescents was observed.

An Approach to Mental Health Among Older Adults in Care Facilities Through the Anais Study

The Anaïs pilot study (Diet, Nutritional Status, and Mental Health of Older Adults in Care Facilities) was conducted in 2010 by the InVS. Its objective was to assess the feasibility of a survey designed to describe, in metropolitan France, the nutritional status, mental health, and medication use of older adults living in care facilities. Conducted in six long-term care facilities in the Indre-et-Loire department, this pilot study identified the most significant barriers to conducting such a survey: low acceptance rates among guardians, limited availability of staff at the surveyed facilities, and the extreme vulnerability of residents in long-term care units, which made data collection difficult.

Samenta Survey: Mental Health and Addiction Among People Without Personal Housing in the Île-de-France Region

The Samenta Survey (mental health and addiction among people without personal housing in the Île-de-France region), led by the Paris Samu Social Observatory and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), was conducted in 2009 among homeless individuals in the Île-de-France region. The InVS provided financial and scientific support for this study, whose main objectives were to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and addictions in this specific population and to examine how these conditions fit into their life course—including social trajectories, living conditions, and use of healthcare services—in order to identify ways to improve the provision of healthcare and housing support. The survey methodology relied on a complex sampling design to obtain a random sample of homeless individuals using reception, assistance, and shelter services throughout the region. Participants were interviewed by a team consisting of a professional interviewer and a clinical psychologist. A psychiatrist was consulted subsequently whenever clinical findings suggested a possible psychiatric disorder. Between February and April 2009, 840 people participated in the survey. The French-speaking homeless population was estimated at 21,176 [95% CI: 17,582, 24,770] in the Île-de-France region. Approximately one-third of this population had severe psychiatric disorders, particularly psychotic disorders (13%), anxiety disorders (12.3%), and severe depressive disorders (6.7%). Substance dependence or regular use of psychoactive substances (alcohol, illicit drugs, and/or medications misused) affected nearly three in ten people.