Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of psychiatric admissions of women with depression

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The objective of this retrospective exploratory study was to identify and analyze sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of psychiatric admissions of women with depression. The study was performed based on the Hospital Admissions System of a specialist service. The sample consisted of 24,161 inpatients; 1,160 diagnosed with depression (4.8%), most were female (761 or 65.6%), aged between 41 and 50 years (194 or 25.4%), referred from a range of health services (273 or 35.8%), with a length of stay of 60 days (311 or 40.8%), medical discharges (687 or 90.2%), one admission (661 or 86.8%); and admissions covered by the Unified Health System (633 or 83.2%). The biological aspects (hormonal), cultural (women’s role in society), self-medication, late diagnosis, and co-occurrence with other diseases were main factors related to depression by women and admission. These aspects that should guide a better approach of care and the promotion of mental health.

Descriptors: Depression; Hospitalization; Women's Health; Psychiatric Nursing.