Depression among wives of migrant workers in Shuklagandaki Municipality, Tanahun District: A cross-sectional study in Nepal

TL;DR

This study found that nearly a quarter of wives of migrant workers in Nepal experience depression, influenced by factors like family debt and lack of support.

Contribution

The study identifies specific factors associated with depression among left-behind wives in a specific Nepalese municipality.

Findings

23.5% of wives of migrant workers had depression.

Family debt, alcohol consumption, and lack of emotional support were significant factors.

Interventions like mental health programs and financial support are recommended.

Abstract

International migration offers opportunities for personal, social, and economic growth for migrant workers, but results in household and childcare responsibilities among left-behind wives in their home country. While handling all those responsibilities alone, these women feel isolated and may become victims of depression. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and factors associated with depression among wives of migrant workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 wives of migrant workers in Shuklagandaki municipality, Tanahun. A multistage sampling method was adopted, and face-to-face interviews were administered for data collection. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess the prevalence of depression. Chi-square and bivariate logistic regression were performed for bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined the factors associated with the prevalence of depression. All the tests were performed at a 95% Confidence Interval, and variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 33.4 ± 6.9 years. The majority belonged to the Janajati ethnicity (44.7%) and had agriculture as their main occupation (49%). Nearly one-fourth (23.5%) of the wives of migrant workers had a prevalence of depression. Family type (AOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.21–2.01), family debt (AOR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.19–5.89), alcohol consumption (AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.15–5.56) and emotional family support (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.12–1.96) were statistically significant with the prevalence of depression. Nearly one-fourth of wives of migrant workers experienced depression, influenced by ethnicity, family type, marriage type, family debt, and illness. Targeted interventions, including community mental health programs, family counselling, financial support initiatives, routine health screenings, and peer networks, alongside prioritization in national mental health policies, are crucial to improve their well-being.

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