A Community-based Depression Screening Intervention for Middle-aged Suicide

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Suicide

• Registration Number: NCT02468466
• Lead Sponsor: Aomori University of Health and Welfare

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a community-based depression-screening program for suicide prevention among middle-aged adults, the investigators conducted a quasi-experimental intervention study, using a parallel cluster design with communities at municipal level as the unit of allocation and individuals as the unit of analysis.

Detailed Description

Suicide is a major cause of premature death, particularly among middle-aged adults, in the majority of Western and Asian countries. A strong association of suicide and depression often indicates the necessity of a high-risk approach for suicide prevention. Improvements in identification and treatment can lead to better depression outcomes and suicide prevention. The investigators hypothesize that a 4-year community-based intervention, consisting of universal depression screening and subsequent care support in the target areas and health education programs, would result in reduced suicide rates among the middle-aged adult population in areas with a high suicide rate.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-01
• Primary Completion: 2012-12
• Study Completion: 2012-12
• Status Verified: 2015-06
• Study First Submitted: 2015-06-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-06-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-06-09
• Study First Posted: 2015-06-10
• Last Update Posted: 2015-06-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 89700

Inclusion Criteria

• A municipal area located in the following 4 Aomori Second Medical Zones: Hachinohe, Kamitosan, Aomori, and Tsugaru.
• A municipal area with the higher suicide rate than the prefectural average.
• A municipal area having the sufficient and coverable size to serve the intervention (population 10,000-99,999).

Exclusion Criteria

• A municipal area receiving further intervention including a depression screening for middle-aged adults.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in suicide rates among adults aged 40-64 years between the 4-year pre- and implementation periods.	4 years pre versus 4 years post

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Invitation rate in the screening component	4 years post
Participation rate in the screening component	4 years post

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Control group; 🇯🇵 Towada, Aomori, Japan

Intervention group; 🇯🇵 Oirase, Aomori, Japan