Depression and generalized anxiety and associated factors among adult women and men in Nepal: Results of a national cross-sectional survey in 2022

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among adults in a national population-based survey in Nepal in 2022. MDD was assessed with the PHQ-9 and GAD with the GAD-7. Among women, the prevalence of mild and moderate or severe MDD was 16.2% and 5.9%, respectively, and the prevalence of mild and moderate or severe GAD was 20.6% and 8.2%, respectively. Among men, the prevalence of mild and moderate or severe MDD was 9.4% and 1.8%, respectively, and the prevalence of mild and moderate or severe GAD was 14.0% and 2.4%, respectively. Among women, in the multivariable model, poor self-rated health status, genital discharge, barriers to access health care, having two or more control issues with their husband or partner, experiencing one, or two or more forms of emotional violence, and exposure to two or three types of intimate partner violence were positively associated with MDD. Being widowed, divorced or separated, poor self-rated health status, genital discharge, barriers to access health care, having two or more control issues with their husband or partner, experiencing two or more forms of emotional violence, and exposure to two or three types of intimate partner violence were positively associated with GAD. Among men, poor self-rated health status, current tobacco use, genital sore or ulcer, sons and/or daughters had died, younger age and never internet use were positively associated with MDD, and being widowed, divorced or separated, poor self-rated health status, younger age and sons and/or daughters had died were positively associated with GAD. Low rates and several associated factors of MDD and GAD were found in Nepal.