Publication: Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression in Nepal: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Depression is a common mental disorder associated with considerable degree of burden. This review aimed to examine the prevalence of depression and associated factors in the Nepalese general population.
Methods: The databases Medline (PubMed), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and NepJOL were searched for identification of peer-reviewed studies reporting the prevalence of depression among non-clinical populations in Nepal along with Google Scholar and citation search. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence estimates. A qualitative synthesis of factors associated with depression was performed.
Results: A total of 64 studies comprising a total of 57,553 participants were included. Overall, the pooled prevalence among adult population was 13.75% (95% CI:10.84% to 16.65%). For other population subgroups: 27.49% (95% CI: 17.99% to 32.21%) in children and adolescents, 50.07% (95% CI: 32.82% to 67.33%) in geriatric population, 19.96% (95% CI: 18.00% to 21.91%) in maternal population. There was high degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 99.32). Depression was associated with distinct individual attributes and behaviors, socio-economic circumstances and environmental factors.
Conclusions: Approximately one-seventh of the adult population was found to have depression. There were notable variations in the prevalence and associated factors of depression across different population subgroups.
Description
Pawan Sharma
Deparment of Psychiatry, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lagankhel, Lalitpur, Nepal
Swarndeep Singh
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
Anima Parajuli
Deparment of Psychiatry, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lagankhel, Lalitpur, Nepal
Omkar Dhungel
Shree Birendra Hospital, Chhauni, Kathmandu Nepal
Pankaj Pathak
Dadeldhura Hospital, Dadeldhura, Nepal