PREVALENCE OF POST-MENOPAUSAL DEPRESSION IN WOMEN AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS

Background:Menopause is the end of the fertile period with cessation of ovarian function in women's life. According to the World Health Organization, 12 months of amenorrhea confirm that menopause has set in. Menopause is associated with various symptoms among which psychological symptoms are most common with depression, mood swing and anxiety. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women in central India. Materials and Methods:This study was conducted in J.K. hospital Bhopal. A total of 100 postmenopausal patients presenting in OPD were included. Postmenopausal women with more than 1 year and less than 5 years of amenorrhoea were included. Study tools: Hamilton depression (HAM-D) scale was used to study the prevalence of depression on the basis of questionnaire. Eight questions of Hamilton score rated on a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 = not present to 4 = severe and nine questions scored from 0 to 2. Results:Overall, 35% had no depression, 40.0% had mild, 16% had moderate, and 10% had severe depression and none of the participants scored in the category indicative of very severe depression. As the duration since menopause increase the Hamilton Depression Score and the prevalence of depression among women increased. Among the biosocial factors: age, duration since menopause, marital status, parity, and gender composition of children were significantly associated (p-value < 0.05) with moderate to severe depression. Conclusion: Mild depression is common among majority of women in postmenopausal period. However, moderate to severe depression is associated with several social factors.