Risk factors for depression among married women belonging to higher and lower socioeconomic status in Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives: to determine the risk factors for depression among married women belonging to low and high socioeconomic status in karachi. methods: the study design was cross-sectional. the data was collected from 128 adult married women during july to september 2005. the women were selected from different socioeconomic classes from five hospitals/institutes in karachi. the centre for epidemiology studies-depression (ces-d) scale was used to screen the subjects for depression and a structured questionnaire was used to identify the factors for depression. result: according to the ces-d scale, 65% of the study population was found to be depressed. among the women from high socioeconomic status, social conditions were identified as a significant factor for causing depression, whereas social relations, specifically relationship problems with husband, were the major factor for depression among women belonging to the low socioeconomic status. conclusion: the prevalence of depression among married women living in karachi is high. however, underlying factors for causing depression vary among women belonging to low and high socioeconomic status.