Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety among Women attending Primary Health Care in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To assess symptoms of anxiety and depression among women reporting to primary health care (PHC women) in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on PHC women belonging GB including other three provinces of Pakistan. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used to assess anxiety and depression. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were applied to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: PHC women from GB reported higher level of depressive symptoms (t=7.58, p=0.00) and lower level of anxiety symptoms (t=8.3, p=0.00) when compared with cut-off score. Insignificant differences were found in depressive (t=1.5, p>.05) and anxiety (t=1.2, p>.05) scores between GB women and women from rest of Pakistan. However, inter-province differences in depressive (F=5.78, p= 00) and anxiety (F=4.5, p=0.00) symptoms were significant. Increasing age and lack of education were found significant risk factors for GB PHC women’s depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: PHC women from GB have higher level of depressive and lower level of anxiety symptoms like women from other provinces of Pakistan. Their demographics should be considered while addressing their emotional problems.