Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms Among Women Who Had Hysterectomy in India: Evidence from Lasi

Abstract

Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is a common gynaecological procedure performed to treat various conditions, including uterine cancer, fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic organ prolapse. It has a significant impact on women’s health and quality of life. This study aims to understand the prevalence of depression among women who had hysterectomy (45 above) by their demographic and socio-economic characteristics. This study used data from Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI) conducted during the year 2017-18. For the present study, 3649 is the sample size. Univariate and bivariate analysis were used to analyse various demographic, socio-economic characteristics of women who had hysterectomy and also the prevalence of depression among women who had hysterectomy. In addition to that, Chi-square and Logistic Regression were also used for the analysis. Depressive symptoms were measured using the CES-D scale (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). The whole analysis is done by using SPSS package. In the study sample, it can be observed that the prevalence of depression among women who had undergone hysterectomy is 28.1 per cent. i.e., nearly one-fourth of women who had their uterus surgically removed experience symptoms of depression. Depressive symptoms after hysterectomy in India are influenced by hormonal, psychological, physical, and socio-cultural factors. Risk factors like age, mental health conditions, and social support contribute to distress. A holistic approach that integrates medical care, psychological counselling, and social support is essential to address these complexities, enabling tailored interventions to promote the mental well-being of women undergoing this life-altering procedure.