Global burden of depression and anxiety among women of reproductive age: socioeconomic disparities and policy implications.
Depression and anxiety are a major contributor to the global burden of mental disorders, disproportionately affecting women of reproductive age (15-49 years).
This study examined the global trends for depression and anxiety in women of reproductive age, allowing for the variation in social development, profiles of risk factors, and public policies.
We analyzed Global Burden of Disease Study (1990-2021) data, estimating age-standardized rates (ASRs) and applying age-period-cohort (APC) analysis to assess trends in depressive and anxiety disorders by sociodemographic index (SDI). We also calculated the slope index of inequality (SII) to measure disparities in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and examined correlations with policy performance indicators.
From 1990 to 2021, the global age-standardized prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders rose from 55.98 (95% UI: 55.96-55.99) to 62.21 (62.20-62.22) and 58.66 (58.65-58.67) to 70.97 (70.96-70.98) per 1,000 reproductive-aged women, respectively, with the steepest increase in high SDI regions. Socioeconomic disparities in depression shifted from lower SDI regions in 1990 to near convergence by 2021, while anxiety disparities persisted in higher SDI regions. Intimate partner violence and bullying victimization drove a high burden of depression and anxiety among younger women in Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Migration and financial policies correlated strongly with rising depressive disorder burdens (r = 0.40-0.41).
The global burden of depression and anxiety in women of reproductive age necessitates the concerted action targeting their social lives and mental wellness. Integration of mental health services into broader development strategies is encouraged to build sustainable and inclusive societies.
This study examined the global trends for depression and anxiety in women of reproductive age, allowing for the variation in social development, profiles of risk factors, and public policies.
We analyzed Global Burden of Disease Study (1990-2021) data, estimating age-standardized rates (ASRs) and applying age-period-cohort (APC) analysis to assess trends in depressive and anxiety disorders by sociodemographic index (SDI). We also calculated the slope index of inequality (SII) to measure disparities in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and examined correlations with policy performance indicators.
From 1990 to 2021, the global age-standardized prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders rose from 55.98 (95% UI: 55.96-55.99) to 62.21 (62.20-62.22) and 58.66 (58.65-58.67) to 70.97 (70.96-70.98) per 1,000 reproductive-aged women, respectively, with the steepest increase in high SDI regions. Socioeconomic disparities in depression shifted from lower SDI regions in 1990 to near convergence by 2021, while anxiety disparities persisted in higher SDI regions. Intimate partner violence and bullying victimization drove a high burden of depression and anxiety among younger women in Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Migration and financial policies correlated strongly with rising depressive disorder burdens (r = 0.40-0.41).
The global burden of depression and anxiety in women of reproductive age necessitates the concerted action targeting their social lives and mental wellness. Integration of mental health services into broader development strategies is encouraged to build sustainable and inclusive societies.
Authors
Zheng Zheng, TerSangmo TerSangmo, Guan Guan, Xue Xue, Yang Yang, Yang Yang, Chen Chen, Fan Fan, Wang Wang, Du Du
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