Prevalence and factors associated with symptoms of depression in family members of people hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with depression in family members of people hospitalized in intensive care units.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 980 family members of patients admitted to the intensive care units of a large public hospital in the interior of Bahia. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8. The multivariate model consisted of the following variables: sex and age of the patient, sex and age of the family member, education level, religion, living with the family member, previous mental illness and anxiety.

Results: Depression had a prevalence of 43.5%. In the multivariate analysis, the model with the best representativeness indicated that factors associated with a higher prevalence of depression were being female (39%), age younger than 40 years (26%) and previous mental illness (38%). A higher education level was associated with a 19% lower prevalence of depression in family members.

Conclusion: The increase in the prevalence of depression was associated with female sex, age younger than 40 years and previous psychological problems. Such elements should be valued in actions aimed at family members of people hospitalized in intensive care.