Research Article Open Access

A Comparative Study on Depression among Working and Non-Working Women in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. This mood disorder is becoming more common among middle aged female population and especially the factors associated are unique in this population. So this study was done to assess the burden of depression and its risk factors among adult female working and non-working population. This study was conducted as a community based cross sectional study among adult females of working and non-working population during June and July 2013. House to house survey was done by selecting the study participants randomly from the field practice area of department of community medicine, ACS Medical College and Hospital. The data were collected using preformed and pretested questionnaire which has two parts viz. general socio demographic information, risk factors and Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 by personal interview. The results were expressed in percentages and chi-square test was done to assess the test of significance. Totally 309 working women and 309 non-working women were interviewed and the results showed that severe Depression was present in 2.9% (9) and 2.3% (7) in Working and Non- Working Female Population respectively. The factors associated with depression among working women in this study were economic problems (p < 0.003), workplace problems (p < 0.001), relationship problems (p < 0.003) and no personal life satisfaction (p < 0.002), but among non-working women economic problems ( p = 0.016), family problems (p = 0.01), relationship problems (p = 0.028) and no personal life satisfaction (p < 0.002) were risk factors for depression. In summary, we report that the overall prevalence of depression was still high, so it is necessary to initiate and implement the health policy towards family and work place counseling services to overcome depression and to improve their quality of life among both working and non-working female population.

Balaji, V Sarumathi, and Saranya N

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