Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Depression among the Working Population of Nepal

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of depression in the working population; to examine if any gender disparity prevails; and to determine the sociodemographic mediators of depression. METHODS: Data from previous research was retrieved for this study. Only paid workers were selected (n=160). Sociodemographic variables including prevalence of moderate depression were compared between the genders using Chi square test. Significant variables were subject to logistic regression. Validated Nepali version of the Beck Depression Inventory scale (BDI-Ia) was used to determine depressive symptoms with a cutoff score of ≥20 considered as moderate depression. RESULT: The overall prevalence of moderate depression was 15%, with higher prevalence among working women compared to men [χ(2) (df) = 6.7(1), P=0.01], those practicing religions other than Hinduism [χ(2) (df) = 5.5(1), P=0.01], those educated up to primary school compared to other education criteria [χ(2) (df) = 9.4(4), P=0.03], those having vitamin D deficiency compared to others [χ(2) (df) = 8.5(3), P=0.03], and sedentary lifestyle compared to active lifestyle [χ(2) (df) = 6.7(1), P=0.009]. The OR (95% CI) for moderate depression was significantly higher in women than in men [3.2 (1.1-9.6), P= 0.03] and sedentary lifestyle [2.9(1.1-8.2), P= 0.04] even after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Working women have increased odds of depression compared to men. Among various characteristics, sedentary lifestyle was the most important causative factor for depression among women.