Abstract

Objective: This study was to determine the association between sexually transmitted infection (STI) and depression prevalence among the general Canadian population.

Methods: This analysis was based on data of the Canadian Community Health Survey conducted in 2003 and included 21,560 participants aged 15-49 years of age. Logistic regression model was used to examine the association between depression and STI history after taking confounding factors (gender, age, marital status, household size, income, education, immigrant status, alcohol use, smoking status, and number of chronic diseases) and effect modifiers into consideration.

Results: Of the study subjects, 5.3% reported having a history of STI and 7.9% had depression. STI history was significantly associated with depression with the odds ratio being 1.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.1, 2.2) for men and 1.8 (1.4, 2.3) for women. The association was significant in men younger than 35 years but was not significant in older men. The association tended to be stronger in men who had a high level of income. The association between STI and depression was relatively consistent among female subpopulations.

Conclusion: There is a significant association of depression with STI. Health professional should be aware what groups of STI patients are more likely to have depression and deal with it accordingly.