Primary care patient beliefs and help-seeking preferences regarding depression in China

Patient beliefs about depression and its treatment in primary care clinics in China influence the delivery of care. Our objective was to investigate primary care patients’ beliefs about depression and its treatment as well as help-seeking preferences regarding depression in China to aid in the development and promotion of interventions that are acceptable to patients with depression. 100 primary care nurses used the Public Knowledge and Beliefs Survey Package (PKBSP) to assess patients in the primary care clinic waiting rooms. Of the 2639 patients, 15.5% were depressed. Patients with higher education level were less likely to be depressed. Differences in beliefs were significantly associated with age, education level and depression status, but no significant differences were found on gender. Help-seeking preferences were also significantly associated with age, education level and depression status. Patients screened with PHQ-9 positive depression were less willing to endorse “take antidepressants” and “consult a non-medical practitioner” than non-depressed patients. However, they were more willing to endorse “consult a psychotherapist”. Patient beliefs about depression and its treatment highlight a need for modification of current paradigms, practices, and approaches to improve the acceptability of depression care provision. Efforts to increase collaboration between primary care physicians and mental health professionals are needed.