Spectrum of anxiety and depression reported in reproductive-aged women diagnosed with gynaecological disorders at a tertiary healthcare facility in Ghana

Patients with gynaecological disorders often suffer from psychological disorders including anxiety and depression. Although depression and anxiety have been studied in Ghana, data regarding the prevalence of these disorders in patients with gynaecological disorders is non-existent. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in reproductive-aged women diagnosed with gynaecological disorders.

Cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Gynaecology Clinic of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, a tertiary health facility in Accra, Ghana. Patients of reproductive age seeking gynaecological care at the facility from December 2018 to January 2019 were assessed for anxiety and depression using the Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) questionnaire and the Beck depression inventory (BDI) respectively. Sociodemographic and clinical information was gathered as well.

Of the 120 patients interviewed (mean age 34.33±0.66), 36.7% were depressed while 51.6% were reported anxiety disorders. Patients aged 35-45 years had the highest prevalence of anxiety (24.58%) and depression (29.18%). Again, prevalence rates were highest among respondents with senior high school as the highest educational qualification, (anxiety (22.15%); depression (24.20%). Patients suffering from pelvic floor disorder recorded the highest prevalence of anxiety (11.40%) and depression (13.77%). There was a significant association between depression and gynaecological disorders [χ2(25) =53.915, p=0.001, CI=95%], but there was not enough evidence of an association between anxiety and gynaecological disorders [χ2(15) =22.791, p=0.089, CI=95%].

Anxiety and depression are prevalent amongst women in their reproductive age diagnosed presenting with gynaecological disorders and there is a significant association between gynaecological disorders and the prevalence of depression. Metrics

WHO. Women’s health, 2020. Available at: https://www.who.int/healthtwomenhealth/. Accessed on 08 June 2021. Grow S, Neville S, Alpass F, Rodgers V. Loneliness and self-reported health among older persons in New Zealand. Australas J Ageing. 2012;31(2):121-3. Garabiles MR, Lao CK, Yip P, Chan EWW, Mordeno I, Hall BJ. Psychometric Validation of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in Filipino Migrant Domestic Workers in Macao (SAR), China. J Pers Assess. 2020;102(6):833-44. Mohammadi TM, Sabouri A, Sabouri S, Najafipour H. Anxiety, depression, and oral health: A population-based study in Southeast of Iran. Dent Res J. 2019;16(3):139-44. Elroy E, Fearon P, Belsky J, Fonagy P, Patalay P. Networks of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Across Development. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018;57(12):964-73. Laganà AS, Rosa VL, Rapisarda AMC, Valenti G, Sapia F, Chiofalo B, et al. Anxiety and depression in patients with endometriosis: impact and management challenges. Int J Womens Health. 2017;9:323-30. Carroll AJ, Jaffe AE, Stanton K, Guille C, Lazenby GB, Soper DE, et al. Program Evaluation of an Integrated Behavioral Health Clinic in an Outpatient Women's Health Clinic: Challenges and Considerations. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2020;27(2):207-16. Kuehner C. Why is depression more common among women than among men? Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;4(2):146-58. Ngasa SN, Sama CB, Dzekem BS, Nforchu KN, Tindong M, Aroke D, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with depression among medical students in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):216. Khalid SS, Huma S, Hotiana UA, Tariq M, Nadeem M. Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression amongst Patients presenting with Non-inflammatory Vaginal Discharge. J Saidu Med Colleg. 2020;10(1). Ghana Health Service. The Health System in Ghana, Facts and Figures. Ghana Health Service, 2018. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/812958/Ghana_-_Medical_and_Healthcare. Accessed on 08 June 2021. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Monahan PO, Löwe B. Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(5):317-25. Mondin TC, Konradt CE, Cardoso TA, Quevedo LA, Jansen K, Mattos LD, et al. Anxiety disorders in young people: a population-based study. Braz J Psychiatry. 2013;35(4):347-52. Talukder US, Uddin MJ, Khan NM, Billah MM, Chowdhury TA, Alam MF, et al. Major depressive disorder in different age groups and quality of life. Bangladesh J Psychiat. 2014;28(2):58-61. Arias D, Taylor L, Atta A, Bradley EH. Prayer Camps and Biomedical Care in Ghana: Is Collaboration in Mental Health Care Possible? PLoS One. 2016;11(9):162305. Magaard JL, Seeralan T, Schulz H, Brütt AL. Factors associated with help-seeking behaviour among individuals with major depression: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2017;12(5):176730. Kifle D, Azale T, Gelaw YA, Melsew YA. Maternal health care service seeking behaviors and associated factors among women in rural Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia: a triangulated community-based cross-sectional study. Reprod Health. 2017;14(1):6. Fulvio GT. Sexual minority youth, social connection and resilience: from personal struggle to collective identity. Soc Sci Med. 2011;72(10):1611-7. Farris M, Bastianelli C, Rosato E, Brosens I, Benagiano G. Uterine fibroids: an update on current and emerging medical treatment options. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2019;15:157-78. Mazi B, Kaddour O, Badr A. Depression symptoms in women with pelvic floor dysfunction: a case-control study. Int J Womens Health. 2019;11:143-8. Gao L, Qu J, Wang AY. Anxiety, depression and social support in pregnant women with a history of recurrent miscarriage: a cross-sectional study. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2020;38(5):497-508. Bromberger JT, Schott LL, Matthews KA, Kravitz HM, Randolph JF, Harlow S, et al. Association of past and recent major depression and menstrual characteristics in midlife: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Menopause. 2012;19(9):959-66. Upadhyaya SK, Sharma A, Agrawal A. Prevalence of anxiety and depression in polycystic ovarian syndrome. Int J Med Sci Public Health. 2016;5(4):681-3. Audrey S, Procter S. Employers' views of promoting walking to work: a qualitative study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2015;12:12.