Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors in Postmenopausal Thai Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with depression in postmenopausal Thai women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from April to December 2022. Depression was diagnosed using the Thai Depression Inventory. Self-questionnaires assessed sociodemographic data; COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices; and Thai Depression Inventory scores. Results: The study assessed 271 women (175 natural postmenopausal; 96 surgical postmenopausal). The depression prevalence was 9.6% overall, 8.6% in natural menopause, and 11.5% in surgical menopause. No severe major depression was observed. The prevalence of mild depression was significantly higher in the surgical postmenopausal group (11.5%) than in the natural postmenopausal group (4.0%, p = 0.022). In the natural postmenopausal group, the prevalence of less than major depression and major depression were 4% and 0.6%, respectively, whereas it was not present in the surgical postmenopausal group. Women with superior knowledge or attitudes had a lower prevalence. Those with high levels of preventive behavior had a higher prevalence but without significance. Prevalence significantly increased with low household income and medical disease, especially chronic kidney disease. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in postmenopausal Thai women during COVID-19 was 9.6%. Low household income and chronic kidney disease were significant predictors.