Prevalence of anxiety and depression among married women in Bangladesh: An analysis of nationally representative survey

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are significant factors affecting individuals’ well-being and productivity, yet they often receive inadequate research attention and are not recognized as major public health issues in countries like Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the prevalence and differentials of anxiety and depression among married women in Bangladesh by their different background attributes. Using data from the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS-2022), the mean GAD-7 score was 3.10 (SD = 3.167), and the mean PHQ-9 score was 3.35 (SD = 3.363). This study found that 3.4% of married women suffer from moderate to severe anxiety, while 4.9% experience moderate to severe depression. Moderate to severe anxiety was more prevalent among older women, peaking at 6.5% in the 45–49 age group, women who married before age 15 (5.1%), and those who experienced child mortality (6.2%). Women in the Rangpur division had the highest prevalence of moderate to severe depression (7.6%). These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing both the symptoms and root causes of mental health challenges.