Depression and generalized anxiety and its associations with health behaviors among adult women in Nepal: Results of a national cross-sectional survey in 2022

Abstract

Abstract Background: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorders (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD) among Nepalese women, and explore the associations with sociodemographic factors and health behaviors. We used the nationally representative data from the Nepal DHS which is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2022. A total of 7442 eligible women were included in this analysis. Different sociodemographic factors and health behaviors were systematically assessed to explore the associations with mental health conditions. The overall prevalence of MDD and/or GAD was 5.3%, while 3.8% experienced the concurrence of both. Marital status, economic disparities, self-rated health, and region showed positive association with common mental disorders, while women empowerment emerged as a protective factor. Moreover, having MDD and/or GAD was found to be significant associated with smoking, having multiple sex partners, genital sores and discharges, and previous pregnancy termination. The results underscore the need for tailored interventions to address the multifaceted determinants of mental health among Nepalese women. The findings serve as empirical evidence for the policy makers, to inform the development of effective interventions in the mental health domain.