Importance of social relations for development of depression among pregnant women in urban and rural areas of Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives

In this study we examined the role of various social relations and social conditions variables in the determination of depression among urban and rural pregnant women in Pakistan.

Methods

Both qualitative and qunatitative method was employed. 292 pregant women in urban and 152 pregnant women in rural areas of the province of Sindh Pakistan were included in the study. Social condition variables included socioecnomic status, illness and housing while social relations variables were relations with husband, in-laws, children and parents family. These variables were given scores when it applied to a situation of a pregnant women. Simultaneously, hassles related to pregnancy were also inquired from each women. Concurrently, in a blind set-up, translated and validated Center for Epidemiological Scale for Depression (CES-D) was administered. In multivariate regression linear analysis, scores of social relations and social condition variables were related with the scores of CES-D scores.

Results

Social context vary in urban and rural areas. There is high prevalence of depression among pregnant women in urban (39%) and rural (42%) areas of Pakistan. Social relations variables are more important in determining depression in pregnant women of urban areas, while social conditions variables has more contribution for the development of depression in rural areas of Pakistan.

Conclusions

Social environment has major contribution for the development of depression among pregnant women (52% variance). Social environmental variables vary with the social context and its importance vary for the women of urban and rural areas.