[Reasons for non-response of elderly Turkish, Moroccan and Dutch general practice patients on a postal depression screening]

BACKGROUND: Depression screening can improve identification and subsequent treatment of depression in general practice. Response of Turkish and Moroccan elderly is unknown. OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the response of elderly Turkish and Moroccan general practice patients on a postal depression screening. (2) To trace reasons for non-response. METHOD: At 14 different primary care centres, elderly (55+) were screened with GDS-15. Turkish and Moroccan elderly were telephonically and house-to-house approached for tracing the reasons for non-response. RESULTS: Response rate Dutch elderly (n=6060; 62{\%}), Turks (n= 39; 31{\%}) and Moroccans (n=117; 34{\%}). Most important reason for non-response among Turkish elderly was "temporary other place of staying" (Turkey). Among Moroccans it was "illiteracy". CONCLUSION: Response is very low by elderly migrants compared to Dutch elderly. The reasons for non-response implicate that other means to approach migrants' sub-populations should be sought