Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Depression Among Community Members in Rural Gujarat, India

Abstract

Limited data exist regarding community attitudes and knowledge about clinical depression in rural India. We administered 159 questionnaires and 7 focus groups to Gujarati villagers to explore knowledge and beliefs about clinical depression. Quantitative data were analyzed for frequencies, nonparametric correlations, and principal components, whereas qualitative data were coded for prominent themes. Two groups of subjects emerged from our analysis: one "medically oriented" group that viewed depression as a medical condition and expressed optimism regarding its prognosis and one "spiritually oriented" group that expressed pessimism. Correlations emerged between etiological belief, degree of optimism, and associated stigma. The subjects were pessimistic when they attributed depression to a traumatic event, punishment from God, or brain disease but optimistic when depression was attributed to socioeconomic circumstances. Overall, the subjects were knowledgeable and open-minded toward depression and demonstrated curiosity and willingness to learn more. This study will help to inform future clinical and educational outreach in rural Gujarat.

Association of common mental disorder symptoms with health and healthcare factors among women in rural western India: results of a cross-sectional survey

“…First, compared with western societies, people in India are more likely to attribute mental illness to personally controllable factors, and thus mental health in rural India is associated with a tremendous amount of stigma and social disadvantage. 10 19 Consequently, Indians may be less willing to disclose psychological symptoms. Indeed, studies have shown that most Indian patients suffering from mental disease present with somatic symptoms, which may increase the likelihood that CMD goes undetected.…”

“…9 Nevertheless, mental health in Gujarat is comparatively understudied, and there are reports of tremendous stigma against mental disorders among community members as well as healthcare providers, which further limits access to mental healthcare. 10–13 Since healthcare priorities are often dictated by disease burden and its impact on individuals and their communities, information about CMD and its associated healthcare outcomes is necessary to guide prioritisation of mental health programmes.…”

A qualitative study on general practitioners’ perspectives on late-life depression in Singapore – Part I: patient presentations and behaviours

“…For instance, regarding spiritual attitudes, research in Hong Kong found that Chinese adults ignored or stoically endured depression based on traditional fatalistic life views, 14 a Malaysian study described spirituality as an important coping mechanism for Malay adults experiencing depression, 15 whereas findings from Gujarat, India indicated that attributing depression to a religious cause was related to more pessimistic views about its outcome in Indian adults. 16 However, as Asian cultural representations of depression have been increasingly intertwined with Western views 17 and also depend on each nation's shared geo-cultural characteristics, it remains unclear to what extent the above ethnic differences still apply to Singapore. The country is undergoing a large-scale restructuring of its healthcare system in the form of Healthier SG, a Singaporean national healthcare initiative launched in 2023 whereby each Singaporean is encouraged to voluntarily register with a family doctor for their basic care.…”

Psychological distress and quality of life: rationale and protocol of a prospective cohort study in a rural district in Bangaladesh

“… 22 Knowledge and positive attitudes towards treatment are fundamental for individuals seeking help for MDs in a timely and appropriate manner. In India, recent studies have reported limited knowledge of mental health issues and high rates of negative attitudes towards seeking help responsible for mental health problems, 23 24 yet similar literature for the neighbouring region of Bangladesh is lacking.…”