"There is thus a great need for systematic studies on the prevalence of depression. Our study aims to explore the prevalence of depression among households in three capital cities of Pakistan."
By Public Library of Science, [RxPG] A paper authored by two Memorial University faculty members will be published Feb. 14 in PLoS ONE, the international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication from the Public Library of Science (PLoS). Drs. Amin A. Muhammad Gadit and Gerry Mugford are the authors of the paper, entitled, "Prevalence of depression among house holds in three capital cities of Pakistan: Need to revise the mental health policy."
Dr. Muhammad Gadit explained that Pakistan, among the other developing countries, has a higher prevalence rate of depression because of the current social adversities. "There is thus a great need for systematic studies on the prevalence of depression. Our study aims to explore the prevalence of depression among households in three capital cities of Pakistan."
A sample of 820 people was randomly selected and a cross sectional telephone based study was conducted for a duration of six months. "It was found that there was a regional variation in prevalence rates for depression among the three cities. Lahore had the highest number of depressives (53.4 per cent), as compared to Quetta (43.9 per cent) and Karachi (35.7 per cent). Middle age, female gender and secondary school level of education were significantly associated with depression among the study group."
Dr. Muhammad Gadit said the different rates of prevalence rate among three cities could be attributed to local cultural influence, geographical locations and social adversities and point to a need for revision of existing health policy by the government.
This news story has been reviewed by Dr. Ankush Vidyarthi before its publication on RxPG News website. Dr. Ankush Vidyarthi, MBBS is a senior editor of RxPG News. He is also managing the marketing and public relations for the website. In his capacity as the senior editor, he is responsible for content related to mental health and psychiatry. His areas of special interest are mass-media and psychopathology.
RxPG News is committed to promotion and implementation of Evidence Based Medical Journalism in all channels of mass media including internet.
Additional information about the news article
Citation: Muhammad Gadit AA, Mugford G (2007) Prevalence of Depression among Households in Three Capital Cities of Pakistan: Need to Revise the Mental Health Policy. PLoS ONE 2(2): e209. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000209
CONTACT:
Dr. Amin Muhammad Gadit
Professor of Psychiatry
Memorial University
Tel: +1 709 777-8663
Email: [email protected]
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