The study is a part of a large-scale research project implemented by WHO in Azerbaijan. The study is aimed to determine the rates of depression in internally displaced women as well as to define socio-demographic variables affecting vulnerability to depression.

The screening for depression was carried out among 733 women at the age of 18–65 who had become refugees due to war conflict in Nagorniy Karabakh. 20-item WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire was used for screening purposes.

19.2% female refugees did not reveal any symptoms of depression. Yet 24,1% of women presented some depressive complaints which did not meet criteria for depressive disorders. 29,6% had mild to moderate depressive disorders and 27% suffered from severe depression.

The high prevalence of depression in refugee women requires development of specific preventive and treatment programs for this population.