Findings of a retrospective study on factors responsible for depression in a Northern Indian State

Abstract

Objective: Depression is a leading cause of morbidity and disability worldwide. The factors responsible for the prevalence of depression vary across countries and cultures. This study was aimed to provide data on the prevalence of depression and the possible risk factors responsible for its prevalence in Haryana State, India. Methods: A retrospective study on factors responsible for depression in a Northern Indian State. A retrospective evaluation of the medical records of a total of 4512 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of depression was carried out at the psychiatric units of three different district government hospitals from September 2010 till August 2013. The data was analyzed using the statistical software, SPSS version 13®. Results: Prevalence of depression was found to be significant among females (?2=32.9, df=1, p<0.001), as a majority (58%) of the patients were females. In terms of ethnicity, seventy-eight percent patients were Hindus and belong to lower castes of community and other backward classes. However, in terms of age, 1714 (38%) were over 50 years of age (?2=38.78, df=1, p<0.0001). Social problems and medical complications were the most common identified stressors during patient evaluation. Marital and family problems, followed by relationship/childhood problems and death of loved ones, were the frequent risk factors identified among females. However, financial and job related problems were the most common stressors identified among males. Among medical complications, hypertension was the most frequent. Conclusions: Overall, the findings demonstrate a high rate of depression among people of low socioeconomic status and aged patients with medical conditions.

Keywords

• depression, risk factor, socioeconomic, medical conditions, North India, Haryana state

Bir Kuzey Hindistan Bölgesinde depresyondan sorumlu olan etmenleri inceleyen geriye dönük çalışma bir çalışmanın sonuçları

Öz

Amaç: Depresyon, dünya genelinde hastalık ve özürlülük sebepleri arasında başı çekmektedir. Depresyon sıklığından sorumlu etmenler ülkeler ve kültürler arasında değişir. Bu çalışmada Hindistan’ın Haryana bölgesindeki depresyon yaygınlığı ve bundan sorumlu olası risk etmeleri ile ilgili bilgi sağlanması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Üç farklı ilçe devlet hastanelerinin psikiyatri birimlerinden Eylül 2010 tarihinden Ağustos 2013 yılına kadar depresyon tanısı doğrulanmış toplam 4512 hastanın geriye dönük tıbbi kayıtları değerlendirilerek çalışma verisi oluşturuldu. Veriler bir istatistiksel yazılım olan SPSS versiyon 13® kullanılarak analiz edildi. Bulgular: Depresyon sıklığı kadınlarda anlamlı olarak daha yüksek saptandı (?2=32.9, df=1, p<0.001) ve hastaların çoğunluğu kadındı (58 %). Etnik yapı açısından, hastaların yüzde yetmiş sekizini Hindular ve toplumun düşük ve daha düşük sınıfları oluşturmaktaydı. Fakat, yaş açısından ise 1714’ü (38%) 50 yaş ve üstünde idi (?2=38.78, df=1, p<0.001). Hasta değerlendirmelerinde en sık tespit edilen stresörler; sosyal sorunlar ve tıbbi hastalıklardı. Kadınlarda depresyonla ilişkili belirlenen etmenler; evlilik ve aile problemleri, sonra sırası ile ilişki/çocuk sorunları ve sevilen birinin vefatıydı. Fakat erkeklerde ise; finansal ve iş ile ilişkili sorunlar en sık belirtilen stresörlerdi. Tıbbi hastalıklardan ise en sık olarak belirtileni hipertansiyon idi. Sonuç: Genel olarak, bulgular düşük sosyoekonomik düzeydeki ve tıbbi hastalıkları olan yaşlı hastalarda depresyonun yüksek oranda olduğunun göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• depresyon, risk etmenleri, sosyoekonomik, tıbbi hastalıklar, Kuzey Hindistan, Haryana bölgesi

Kaynakça

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