Introduccion: se valoro el riesgo de depresion y las caracteristicas del apoyo familiar, en un grupo de estudiantes universitarios. Metodos: estudio descriptivo, transversal. Muestreo no aleatorio, correspondio a 100 estudiantes matriculados en el primer periodo academico del ano 2009, quienes participaron de forma voluntaria y firmaron consentimiento informado. La encuesta autoaplicada, incluia variables demograficas, escala de Zung y APGAR familiar. Se realizo analisis univariado y bivariado en el programa Epiinfo 2002. Resultados: 60% de los participantes tenian de 19 a 21 anos; 68% de sexo femenino; 67% mostro buena funcionalidad familiar y mas del 75% de los estudiantes recibian apoyo economico, afectivo e instrumental de parte de la familia. El riesgo de depresion fue leve en el 43%, moderado en el 41% y grave en el 9%. No se observo posible relacion entre variables. Conclusiones: se confirmo la depresion como evento frecuente, que amerita intervencion especifica. Abstract Risk of depression and fa mily support among university students of healt h sciences. Pereira 2009 Introduction: we evaluated the risk of depression and family support characteristics in a group of university students. Methods: a descriptive study. Nonrandom sampling, corresponded to 100 students enrolled in first semester of 2009, who participated voluntarily and signed informed consent. The survey, self-administered, including demographic data, Zung scale and Family APGAR. We performed univariate and bivariate analysis calculated on Epiinfo 2002. Results: 60% of participants had 19 to 21 years, 68% were female, 67% showed good family functioning. Over 75% of students received financial support, emotional and instrumental part of the family. The risk of depression was mild in 43%, moderate in 41% and severe in 9%. There was no possible link between variables. Conclusions: depression was confirmed as a frequent event, which warrants specific intervention. Keywords: depression, social assistant, comunitary prevention and promotion, mental health, family, nursing.
