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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02468466

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Suicide Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Self-Injurious Behavior

Age range

36 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Control group, Fujisaki, Aomori, Japan

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About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Multi-level suicide prevention programs

Behavioral

The intervention included both screening and educational components. The screening component invited residents aged 36-64 years to participate in a two-step screening program. In the initial screening, a self-report questionnaire were mailed to all of those residents in the priority districts with a past high suicide rate. The second stage was conducted for the participants who screened positive though a semi-structural interview. Based on the results, participants who were diagnosed with a major depressive episode were provided with a referral to a psychiatry and support for treatment adherence. Written feedback on the screening results was mailed to all respondents. The educational component was implemented through workshops open to the general public (3 times every year) and local public newsletters (twice every year) designed to improve access and adherence to treatment and to reduce stigma associated with suicide and depression.

Suicide prevention program as usual

Behavioral

Usual mental health program (not including depression screening among middle-aged)

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in suicide rates among adults aged 40-64 years between the 4-year pre- and implementation periods.

    Time frame: 4 years pre versus 4 years post

Secondary outcomes

  1. Invitation rate in the screening component

    Time frame: 4 years post

  2. Participation rate in the screening component

    Time frame: 4 years post

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Aomori University of Health and Welfare

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of a Community-based Screening and Educational Intervention for Depression on Suicide Rates Among Japanese Middle-aged Adults

Important dates

Study start
2005
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Jun 10, 2015
Registry last updated
Jun 10, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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