DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG RURAL POPULATION

Abstract

Depression is a disorder of major public health importance, in term of its prevalence and the suffering, dysfunction, morbidity and economic burden. The study aims to assess the prevalence of depression among rural population of selected village. Subjects (N=92) who volunteered to participate in the study were recruited. The research design adopted for the study was descriptive survey design. Depression was assessed by using a self reported depression scale (CES-D). result shown majority of them were between 16-60 yrs. The overall mean score of depressive affect is 17.04 and it was higher in illiterates. Among the dimensions somatic symptoms has mean score of 19.82 and it was higher in females. In association with demographic characteristics illiterates, females, married, nuclear family, middle class and laborers shows statistically significant association with depressive symptoms. The sudy concludes that prevalence of depression among the rural population is common especially in females, nuclear families and low socio economics due to variety of emotional and physical problems hence there is clear need to increase mental health services and to integrate this with general health services.

Keywords

• prevalence
• depressive symptoms
• rural population