Major Depressive Disorder in Iran: Epidemiology, Health Care Provision, Utilization, and Challenges.
Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili, Behrang Shadloo, Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar, Seyed Mehdi Samimi Ardestani, Ahmad Hajebi, Shahab Khatibzadeh, Vandad Sharifi, Roya Samadi, Mohammad Taghi Yasamy, Mehran Zarghami, Farshad Farzadfar, Saeid Shahraz
Author Information
Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili: Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ORCID
Behrang Shadloo: Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ORCID
Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar: Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ORCID
Seyed Mehdi Samimi Ardestani: Departments of Psychiatry, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ORCID
Ahmad Hajebi: Research Center for Addiction & Risky Behaviors (ReCARB), Psychiatric Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran. ORCID
Shahab Khatibzadeh: The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
Vandad Sharifi: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Roya Samadi: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohammad Taghi Yasamy: Department of Psychiatry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ORCID
Mehran Zarghami: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine AND Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. ORCID
Farshad Farzadfar: Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ORCID
Saeid Shahraz: The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
One in eight adults in Iran is estimated to have Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - a leading cause of disability in the country. Many remain undiagnosed, and some receive only partial treatment. An estimated 60% of those with MDD were reported to have received no treatment during the past year. In this paper, we have critically reviewed the current health-care structure in the country along with prevailing patterns of health-care service utilization. We have addressed the role of psychiatrists, general practitioners (GPs), psychologists, and other health-care personnel in the treatment and care of patients with MDD, with an emphasis on the quality of service provision. In addition, the strengths and weaknesses of primary healthcare (PHC), the health insurance system, and inpatient care have been discussed. We have paid attention to the contextual issues such as mental health literacy, stigma, and healthcare inequity where relevant. Finally, practical recommendations have been provided to improve the quality of care for patients with MDD in Iran.
