Depression and its Association with Housing conditions and Family among Pregnant Women of Rural Varanasi

Abstract

Background: Depressive disorders were the second leading cause of years lost due to disability in 2010 after low back pain and leading cause of disability adjusted life years (WHO 2010). Gestational depression may lead to low birth weight, premature births etc. Housing and family are important aspects of one daily life which if are unsatisfactory can increase stress level of its members. Aims & Objectives: The aim of this study is to see the relationship of housing and family with depression among pregnant women. Material & Methods: This is a community based cross sectional study of 220 pregnant women in 10 randomly selected villages of Chiraigaon, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh during one year period; using predesigned, pretested and semi structured interview schedule for assessing housing and family conditions. Results: Depression was found to be more in women living in kutcha house, nuclear family and illiterate husband, husband as head of family and belonging to lower socio-economic status. Increasing number of female child also increases depression. Conclusion: Housing structure, education of husband, socio-economic status and number of daughters should be assessed in every pregnant woman as these affect depressive state of pregnant women which can adversely affect the outcome of pregnancy.