Major depression in Jalal Pur Jattan, district Gujrat, Pakistan: Prevalence and gender differences

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of depression along gender lines in the general population. Methods: Using multistage stratified proportionate sampling, the cross-sectional study was conducted in four Union Councils of Jalal Pur Jattan in Gujrat, Pakistan from November 2011 to November 2012. From each stratum, two samples were taken: adults and adolescents. Then each sample was divided into adult males and adult females (20-45 years); adolescent boys and adolescent girls (13-19 years). The questionnaire was developed on the basis of diagnostic criteria given in the revised version of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Results: Of the total population of 28,259, 1117(3.6%) were approached for the study. Of them, 1110(99.3%) people participated. Overall, 173(15%) were found to be vulnerable to psychological problems whereas 59 (5.31%) were found as vulnerable cases to depression. However, the diagnosis of major depression was handed to 38(3.4%) respondents. Of these 38 subjects, 7(18.42%) persons were suffering from mild; 22(57.89%) from moderate, and 9(23.68%) from severe symptoms. Further, 30(78.9%) of these subjects were women. Conclusion: Major depression was prevailing in the community of Jalal Pur Jattan in almost the same ratio as in other places around the globe, and, therefore, the inhabitants need psychiatric services.