Depression among women using different contraceptive methods

Hassan Zulqernain Mahmood; Ayaz Muhammad Khan; Tehmina Mushtaq; Muhammad Ali Awab Sarwar; Rabia Asghar; Hafiz Muhammad Imtiaz Afzal; Sarah Shirazi; Kanwal Iqbal

Objective: To determine the frequency of depression among women using different contraceptive methods. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Gynaecology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Women of age between 20-45 years using contraception (oral contraceptive pill, condom, and intrauterine device) for 6 months were included in this study. A total of 196 women were enrolled after informed consent by non-probability convenience sampling technique. The participants were assessed for depression using Beck's depression inventory-II (BDI-II). The data was obtained by using a self-devised proforma. The women scoring 14 and above were classified to have depression. Results: The mean age of women was 32.5±7.8 years. Out of 196 women, 112(57.1%) were between 31-45 years of age, while 84(42.9%) were between 20-30 years of age. Ninety four (48%) women had been using contraceptives for 2 years, respectively. Sixty two (31.6%) women using contraception for at least 6 months had depression. Females with age more than 30 years and prolonged use of different contraceptive methods were found to have a significant association with depression. Conclusion: The frequency of depression is high among women using different contraceptive methods.