Depression among women in the South-Asian region: The underlying issues

Background: The condition of women in third-world countries continues to be dismal. They are constantly exposed to such circumstances which make them prone to sufferings. These sufferings bear an irreparable brunt upon the mental health condition of females which are presented as greater psychological problems in terms of depressive disorders. The impact, in turn is felt by the society as a whole which lags behind due to the huge burden. This study is presented to highlight the various factors affecting the presentation of women in the region. Methods: This is a review of studies in which various issues pertaining to presentation, course, and outcome of depression among women in South-Asian region are discussed. The studies were chosen from Intemet-based search. Limitations: This study incorporates various studies which were undertaken at different time durations; hence, its finding cannot be reproduced in an exact sense. It is worth mentioning that these factors need to be studied comprehensively for better health care. Conclusion: This study gives an indication of specific health care needs of women in the region which are to be customized as per local needs and cultural sanctions. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.