Prevalence Rates of Depression and Anxiety among Young Rural and Urban Australians: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Globally, depression and anxiety are major public health concerns with onset during adolescence. While rural Australia experiences overall lower health outcomes, variation in mental health prevalence rates between rural and urban Australia is unclear. The aim of this paper was to estimate the pooled prevalence rates for depression and anxiety among young Australians aged between 10 and 24 years. Selected studies from a systematic literature search were assessed for risk of bias. Random effects model using DerSimonian and Laird method with Freeman–Tukey Double Arcsine Transformation was fitted. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Prevalence estimates were stratified by region and disorder. The overall pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety was 25.3% (95% CI, 19.9–31.0%). In subgroup analysis, anxiety prevalence was 29.9% (95% CI, 21.6–39.0%); depression: 21.3% (95% CI, 14.9–28.5%); and depression or anxiety: 27.2% (95% CI, 20.3–34.6%). Depression and anxiety prevalence were higher in urban 26.1% (95% CI, 17.3–35.9%) compared to rural areas 24.9% (95% CI, 17.5–33%), although the difference was not statistically significant. The heterogeneity was high with an I2 score of 95.8%. There is need for further research on healthcare access, mental health literacy and help-seeking attitude in Australia.

Health inequalities in Brazilian adolescents: Measuring and mapping gaps in a cross‐sectional school‐based survey

“…A recent systematic review including more than 7000 Australian youth aged between 10 and 24 reported that depression and anxiety were more prevalent in urban than rural areas. However, the difference was not statistically significant 37 . Community belongingness may lead to better mental health status in rural adolescents 37 .…”

“…However, the difference was not statistically significant. 37 Community belongingness may lead to better mental health status in rural adolescents. 37 Therefore, monitoring this behavior, specially in urban adolescents, seems relevant to avoid possible future mental health disorders.…”

Prevalence of depression among Iranian children and adolescents: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…A systematic review study that was conducted using 10 studies in Australia and on 7650 participants between 10 and 24 years of age showed a 21.3% prevalence of depression in this country. 1 Another study in China showed that 13.06% of primary and high school students experienced depressive symptoms. 67 The prevalence of depression signs among adolescents T A B L E 1 Included studies in the current systematic review and meta-analysis.…”

“…Our results showed that the prevalence of depression in Iranian children and adolescents was 33.4%. A systematic review study that was conducted using 10 studies in Australia and on 7650 participants between 10 and 24 years of age showed a 21.3% prevalence of depression in this country 1 . Another study in China showed that 13.06% of primary and high school students experienced depressive symptoms 67 .…”

“…Mental disorders are one of the serious public health challenges worldwide that affect all age groups 1 . These disorders affect children's development and growth, as well as academic performance and their potential for productive and fulfilling lives 2 .…”