Risk factors for depression among married women belonging to higher and lower socioeconomic status in Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives: To determine the risk factors for depression among married women belonging to low and high socioeconomic status in Karachi. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional. The data was collected from 128 adult married women during July to September 2005. The women were selected from different socioeconomic classes from five hospitals/institutes in Karachi. The Centre for Epidemiology Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale was used to screen the subjects for depression and a structured questionnaire was used to identify the factors for depression. Result: According to the CES-D scale, 65% of the study population was found to be depressed. Among the women from high socioeconomic status, social conditions were identified as a significant factor for causing depression, whereas social relations, specifically relationship problems with husband, were the major factor for depression among women belonging to the low socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among married women living in Karachi is high. However, underlying factors for causing depression vary among women belonging to low and high socioeconomic status.