Abstract

Globally, it is estimated that 280 million people suffer from depression that is approximately 2- 6% of the total world population. Depression results from a complex interplay of social, psychological, and biological factors. More women are affected by depression than men due to various inevitable factors. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of symptoms in Kashmiri women indicating depression and to assess its epidemiology. The sample size required with a 95% Confidence Interval, and 50% prevalence, was estimated to be 384 and was drawn as per convenience sampling. The study tool included a self-administered questionnaire with three parts, two core parts i.e., the first including the socio-demographic and other relevant history, and the second being the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D), while the third optional part including the Hurt Insult Threaten Scream (HITS) scale for screening the intimate partner violence. The results revealed that there are a staggering number of females who are suffering from symptoms of depression in Kashmir (64.7%), and the factors such as age, residence, satisfaction with work, time spent on social media, history of suicide in close ones, stressful events like a serious financial loss, or/and loss of a spouse or family member, and intimate partner violence were found to be statistically significant with presence of depressive symptoms. The need of the hour is hence to recognize that mental health problems among women in the valley are a threat because of their exponential increase and constant undermining.

Description

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