The Prevalence of Depression in Jamaican Women: Post-COVID-19

Paul Andrew  Bourne; Brianna  Forbes; Carriche  Brown; Shavoy  Grey; Kenya  Simms; Tamoya  Russell; James  Fallah; Calvin  Campbell; Clifton  Foster; Caroline  McLean; Tabitha  Muchee; Advella L.  Meikle

लेखक

Paul Andrew Bourne Department of Institutional Research, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Brianna Forbes Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Carriche Brown Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Shavoy Grey Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Kenya Simms Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Tamoya Russell Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
James Fallah Department of Dental Hygiene, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Calvin Campbell Department of Mathematics and Engineering, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Clifton Foster Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Caroline McLean Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Tabitha Muchee Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Advella L. Meikle Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.

सार

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges related to the varied aspects of human life; these challenges have micro and macro effects. Some have been very pervasive while others are very specific. One very pervasive effect of the pandemic is its impact on mental health, particularly depression. Undoubtedly, these global statistics have not exempted our little island- Jamaica, but in some way reflect our reality. To this extent, this research will seek to examine the prevalence of depression in Jamaican women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilizes the cross-sectional research design where a survey consisting of 17 closed-ended questions was developed. The use of an online questionnaire via google form was used to collect primary data from participants 18 years and older living in the 14 parishes of Jamaica. A multi-stage purposive sampling research method was used by utilizing a 95% confidence interval and 2.845% margin of error that calculated a sample size of 1186. The data collection was from October 1, 2022, to November 1, 2022.The Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was self-administered by the sampled women in Jamaica. The MADRS consists of 10 items, which is a 7-point Likert scale response from 0 to 6.The results, therefore, indicated that all Jamaican women ages 18 years and older suffer from some degree of depression. Furthermore, 22.8% of Jamaican women were classified as having severe depression, and 0.4% suffered very severe depression, with the majority being mildly depressed (68.9%).There is an abnormally high prevalence of depression affecting women in the Jamaican population from all socioeconomic groups throughout the recent pandemic. Jamaican women affected by depression have profoundly expressed their thoughts of being weary of life and having frequent suicidal thoughts.