Clustering the Depression Prevalence in Indonesia Provinces through Natural Breaks Jenks Method

Depression is a major public health issue worldwide, ranking fourth among global diseases in 2022 according to the WHO. In Indonesia, the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) reported that over 12 million individuals aged 15 and above suffer from depression. Identifying regional disparities in depression prevalence is essential to guide targeted mental health policies and interventions.

This study employed the Natural Breaks Jenks classification to cluster depression prevalence across Indonesian provinces using data from the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey. This method effectively grouped provinces based on natural data patterns, enabling the identification of regions with low, medium, high, and very high depression prevalence.

The analysis revealed significant regional disparities. Eighteen provinces, including Papua, Maluku, and several Sulawesi regions, were classified as having low depression prevalence. Eleven provinces, such as Aceh, Bali, and Kalimantan Timur, fell into the medium category. Six provinces—including DKI Jakarta, Banten, and Sumatera Selatan—exhibited high prevalence rates, possibly due to urbanization and socio-economic factors. Critically, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, and Jawa Timur were identified as having very high depression prevalence, suggesting urgent needs for intervention.

These findings underscore the need for geographically targeted mental health strategies. Provinces with very high prevalence require prioritized attention for mental health services, infrastructure, and resource allocation. Understanding local socio-economic and cultural contexts will be crucial in reducing disparities and improving national mental health outcomes.

These results indicate that Indonesia has a higher number of provinces with low depression prevalence compared to those with high prevalence. This suggests that while there are regions with lower rates of depression, there are still significant areas where mental health issues need more focused attention. Given this, the government should prioritize provinces with very high depression prevalence to improve mental health outcomes in those areas. By focusing on these regions, the government can better allocate resources, implement targeted interventions, and provide necessary mental health services. Addressing the mental health needs of provinces with high depression rates is essential for reducing overall national mental health disparities and ensuring equitable access to mental health support across Indonesia. Additionally, understanding the socio-economic and cultural factors that contribute to higher depression rates in these regions will be crucial in designing effective and sustainable mental health programs.