Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and distribution of major depression disorder among residents aged more than 15 years in urban and rural areas of Guilin.MethodsFrom July to December 2007,3 786 residents aged more than 15 years were randomly selected for 3 urban areas and 3 counties with stratified multi-stage cluster sampling.All subjects were investigated with a face-to-face interview.The Chinese Version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0)was used as the screening tool and the diagnoses were made according to the 10th Edition of International Classfication of Disease.Results The general current prevalence of major depression disorder was 5.02‰ and the general lifetime prevalence was 6.61‰.The current prevalence was higher in the females(7.67‰)than in the males(2.19‰) with a significant difference(P=0.017).The lifetime prevalence was higher in the females(9.20‰)than in the males (3.83‰)with a significant difference(P=0.048).There were significant differenes in current and lifetime prevalence of major depression disorder between the residents of different marriage status(P=0.000),with higher current and lifetime prevalences among residents of divorced.ConclusionMajor depression disorders is prevalent among urban and rural residents of Guilin city.