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Abstract

Objectives: To assess the reliability and
validity of a depression screening tool - the
PHQ-9© Pfizer Inc. modified for use with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We also sought to determine the prevalence
of depression in a sample of Indigenous
people with ischaemic heart disease (IHD).
Methods: The modified PHQ-9 was
administered to a sample of Indigenous
people with IHD by an Aboriginal Health
Worker (AHW). Tool results were then
compared with the results of a psychiatric
diagnostic interview conducted by a medical
practitioner. Thirty four IHD patients attending
an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
Service (ACCHS) in Darwin in 2006 and
2007 participated in the study. The modified
PHQ-9's sensitivity, specificity, positive and
-negative predictive value were calculated for
major and minor depression. Chronbach's
alpha of the screening test was calculated
to measure internal consistency. The
prevalence of depression in the study group
was also determined.
Results: The prevalence of major
depression in the sample was 15.4%
(95% CI 7.2%-29.7%). When assessing
for major depression the modified PHQ·9
was 80% sensitive (95% CI 66.4-93.6%)
and 71.4% (95% CI 56.0-86.8%) specific.
A 'mini' version of the modified PHQ-9
demonstrated 100% sensitiVity (95% CI
100%-100%) and 12.5% specificity (95% CI
7.0% -25.7%) Chronbach's alpha was 0.8.
Conclusion: The modified PHQ-9 and the
mini-tool, showed promise in this setting.
Further investigation with a larger number
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
participants is warranted.
Implications: This study has implications
both for the Medicare funded Aboriginal
Adult Health Checks and for program
planning for Aboriginal IHD patients.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Esler, D and Johnston, FH and Thomas, D and Davis, B
Keywords:	diagnosis, questionaire, Australian Aborigines, ischaemic heart disease
Journal or Publication Title:	Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
ISSN:	1326-0200
DOI / ID Number:	10.1111/j.1753-6405.2008.00247.x
Additional Information:	The original publication is available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/
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