This cross-sectional analytic study determined the prevalence of symptoms of depression in urban and rural barangays in Zamboanga City. The study used a multi-stage sampling technique and included a total of 420 respondents (n=215 from urban barangays, and n=205 from rural barangays). Self-reported screening questionnaire was adapted, specifically, the Beck Depression Inventory. Descriptive and analytic statistics such as frequency, percentage distribution, Chi-square and test for portion were utilized in this study. For urban barangays, the prevalence of symptoms of depression was 40.93% while 40.98% for rural barangays. Using Beck Depression Inventory the classification for symptoms of depression were as follows: for urban barangays: 31 (17.67%) with borderline clinical depression; 49 (22.79%) with moderate depression; 7 (3.26%) with severe depression; and 1 (0.47%) extreme depression. On the other hand, for rural barangays, symptoms of depression classification were as follows 30 (14.63%) with borderline clinical depression; 39 (19.02%) with moderate depression; 12 (5.85%) with severe depression; and 3(1.46%) extreme depression. For the combined urban and rural, the data were as follows: 61 (14.52%) with borderline clinical depression; 88 (20.95%) with moderate depression; 19 (4.52%) with severe depression; and 4 (0.95%) extreme depressions. In comparing the prevalence of symptoms of depression, there was no significant difference with P-value <0.05. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of symptoms of depression according to socio-economic except for marital status and monthly income.

Keyword: Symptoms of depression in urban and rural barangays