Prevalence of Depression in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Background:Every woman during different stages of her growth faces various crises, and one of these crises, menopause, may create different problems. In modern societies, psychological disorders and particularly depression is one of the problems of menopausal women. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women referred to selected health centers of Ahvaz in 2014. Patients and Methods: This study was cross-sectional study. In this study, 1280 postmenopausal women aged between 40 and 65 years old who were referred to selected health centers of Ahvaz in 2014 were randomly enrolled. Hamilton depression scale and demographic questionnaire were used for gathering information. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and analytical statistics (Independent t test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and logistic regression) were carried out (CI 95%). Results: The mean ± SD score of depression for the subjects was 9.37 ± 4.62. The results showed that 59.8% of the 1280 samples were depressed; in particular, 39.8% had mild depression, 16% moderate depression, and 4% severe depression. There is a significant and inverse relation between variables of age, exposure to cigarette smoking, and the relationship with their spouses and the level of their depression, so higher age, more exposure to smoking, and better relation with their husbands, lead to the less depression. The results showed that the level of education is associated with depression. The highest rate of depression was in illiterate women; the finding also showed that there is a relationship between income and the severity of depression (Regression Log). T test showed that the mean depression level of employed postmenopausal women is higher than housewives postmenopausal women, and this difference is statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: A significant percentage of women in their menopause experience depression. This depression can be associated with variables such as exposure to cigarette smoke, certain personal characteristics (e.g. relationship with spouse), and socioeconomic status (education, income).

Prevalence of Depression among Postmenopausal Women in National Guard Primary Healthcare Centers, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…This result is consistent with findings of another study conducted within Sivrihisar, Eskisehir, a town in western Turkey, the prevalence of depression among postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years was 24.7% [15]. However, it was lower than that reported in another study conducted in Iran by Afshari who found that the prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women was 59.8% [17]. In Delhi, India, prevalence of depression among postmenopausal women was 41.6% [18].…”

“…Unsal et al reported that the significant risk factors for depression were lower education level, single status, having an insufficient level of family income and lacking social support [15]. Quite similar results have been reported by others [17,18].…”

Factors Affecting the Development of Anxiety in Postmenopausal Women: A CrossSectional Study in Coastal Areas

“…8 Depression in postmenopausal women can be associated with socioeconomic statuses such as education and income. 6 The study found that there was correlation between the residence status with anxiety in postmenopausal women. There was a significant correlation between family social support with anxiety in the face of menopause.…”

“…Anxious because of the feelings of old age, unattractive, worrying about sexual desire decreases and feels useless and does not produce anything. 6,7 These conditions need a separate concern so that required understanding of the husband and children as members of the immediate family. 8 Husband's support greatly affects women in the face of menopause.…”

Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Depression in Women: A Comparison between Pre-Menopausal and Post-Menopausal Attendees of the General Outpatient Department in Fmc Lokoja

“…A prevalence rate of 24.7% for depression amongst post-menopausal women was found in Turkey (Unsal et al, 2011), which is much lower than 59.8% reported in Iran (Afshar et al, 2015). However, a study in China, gave a prevalence rate of 11.4% (Zang et al, 2016), while Timiz et al reported a rate of 23.2% and 56.9% among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively (Timur & Sahin, 2010), which is higher than the 4.3% depression prevalence recorded in Benin, Nigeria (Ande et al, 2011).…”