MOOD DISORDERS - RURAL URBAN DIFFERENCES IN PREVALENCE, HEALTH-CARE UTILIZATION, AND DISABILITY IN ONTARIO/

This study examines whether rural Ontario differs from urban Ontario i n mood disorder prevalence, health service use and concomitant disabil ity. An epidemiologic community survey of 9953 individuals was conduct ed, with rural/urban status defined by population-density-related crit eria. Overall, Ontario prevalence rates for depression, manic episode, and dysthymia were similar to previous studies, but rural rates were unexpectedly no different from urban ones. Nearly half of mood disorde r subjects used no services, and one-third reported significant disabi lity. Rural individuals with mood disorders were similar to their urba n counterparts in service use and disability.