Depression in Afghan Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

What is it about?

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression and its related factors among Afghan women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Samangan provinces, with 664 participants (mean age 28.85 years). Depression symptoms were assessed using the Dari version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Approximately 79.1% of the sample had depression symptoms. Factors significantly associated with depression symptoms included age over 30, living in rural areas, low income, lack of occupation, presence of disease/illness, and experiencing a mentally affecting event in the past month. The high prevalence of depression symptoms highlights the need for mental health services for women in Afghanistan, including regular screening and education about symptoms for early self-diagnosis. [Some of the content on this page has been created by AI]

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Why is it important?

This study is important because it highlights the high prevalence of depression symptoms among Afghan women, emphasizing the need for integrating mental health services in Afghanistan. It also identifies factors associated with depression, which can inform the development of targeted interventions and support for women in this population. Key Takeaways: 1. Approximately 79.1% of the participants had depression symptoms. 2. Factors associated with depression include being older, living in rural areas, having a low income, not having an occupation, having a physical disease, and experiencing a negative event in the past month. 3. The study calls for integrating mental health services for women in Afghanistan and implementing interventions such as regular screening for depression symptoms and educating women on the signs of depression.