Prevalence and determinants of depression among the menopausal women in Chittagong, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Menopausal depression is a significant public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh. Middle-aged women undergoing menopause often experience depressive symptoms influenced by biological, psychological, and socio-demographic factors. Despite the growing recognition of mental health challenges among menopausal women, limited studies have explored the prevalence and determinants of depression in this population in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among menopausal women residing in three selected residential areas of Chittagong City.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 menopausal women aged 45–60 years in the residential areas of O.R Nizam, Sugandha, Nasirabaad, Agrabaad, Mehedibaag, Amirbaag, GEC and Panchlaish in Chittagong, Bangladesh. A simple random sampling technique was employed to ensure equal representation of households. Moreover, data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which included socio-demographic information, health history, and depressive symptom assessment and quality of life tools. Data were entered into SPSS Statistics (version 20) for analysis. Univariate analysis was used to determine frequency distributions and central tendencies. Bivariate analysis was conducted to explore associations between depression and selected variables, followed by binary logistic regression to identify significant determinants of menopausal depression.

Result: The socio-demographic profile of the study population revealed that the majority of participants were Muslim (89.2%) and married (84%). Most women were housewives (74.5%), while their husbands predominantly worked in business (42.4%) and jobs (28.1%). In terms of menopausal health challenges, moderate depression was the most prevalent (48.1%), followed by moderately severe (34.6%), extremely severe (11.7%), and mild depression (5.6%). Regarding mobility, 72% of respondents reported no walking problems, while 28% experienced some difficulty. Most participants (89%) maintained independence in self-care, with only 11% facing challenges. Pain and discomfort affected nearly half of the women moderately (47%), while 44% had no issues and 9% experienced extreme discomfort. Additionally, 75% reported no problems performing daily activities, though 25% struggled to some extent. Emotional well-being emerged as a significant concern, with 68% experiencing moderate anxiety or depression and 10% reporting extreme distress, while only 22% remained unaffected. These findings highlight the physical, emotional, and functional challenges menopausal women encounter, impacting their overall quality of life.

Conclusion: The study highlights the significant burden of depression among menopausal women in Chittagong, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health interventions. Addressing socio-demographic disparities, increasing awareness of menopausal mental health, and enhancing access to healthcare services are essential for improving psychological well-being in this population. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore the long-term impact of menopause on mental health outcomes.