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

Abstract

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>0.05) and anxiety (t=1.2, p>0.05) 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