Seattle survey links depressive symptoms with health, drug use and exposure

Depression is a common and disabling condition, yet population-level estimates among Ethiopian and Ethiopian-descendant adults in the Seattle metropolitan area are limited. We conducted a cross-sectional community-based survey from November to December 2024 among adults aged ≥18 years who self-identified as Ethiopian or Ethiopian-descendant. Participants were recruited through social media, community networks, and faith-based organizations and completed anonymous REDCap questionnaires. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥10, a screening threshold rather than a clinical diagnosis. We used logistic regression to examine associations between clinically significant depressive symptoms and the primary exposures of nativity, self-rated physical health, chronic medical conditions, reproductive health history, recreational marijuana or other drug use, and firearm exposure, with adjustment for prespecified sociodemographic covariates. A comprehensive model included the primary full-sample exposures simultaneously, with Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons. Among 474 participants (mean age, 31.6 years; 49.8% male), 178 (37.6%) screened positive for clinically significant depressive symptoms. In the mutually adjusted model, poorer self-rated physical health was associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms: average health (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.83; 95% CI, 2.08-7.36) and poor/somewhat poor health (aOR, 10.73; 95% CI, 4.53-26.80), compared with excellent health. Ever use of recreational marijuana or other drugs (aOR, 3.52; 95% CI, 2.08-6.03) and knowing someone injured or killed by a firearm in the past year (aOR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.39-3.90) were also associated with higher odds. Among parous women, a history of postpartum depression was associated with current depressive symptoms (aOR, 9.76; 95% CI, 4.31-23.51). Clinically significant depressive symptoms were common in this sample and were associated with poorer physical health, recreational marijuana or other drug use, firearm-related exposure, and prior postpartum depression. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify temporal relationships and inform culturally responsive prevention and care.