Risk factors associated with depression among women aged 18-45 in Kabul

The continuous war and conflict in Afghanistan has caused an endless social stress with a destructive effect on the mental health of the people. The objective of this research was to identify the association of war- related, cultural and socio-economic problems with depression among women (18 to 45 years old) in Kabul, Afghanistan. Furthermore, through this study we examined the relation of some traditional and social norms that have dominated women’s lives in Afghanistan, including forced marriage, low and irregular monthly income, low education, and loss of a family member with depressive symptoms among women. This original research was conducted in two public hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan. The sample of the case group (depressed women) was interviewed in Kabul Mental Health Hospital (KMHH) and the control group (non-depressed women) was interviewed in Istiqlal Hospital. This study discovered some significant social and traditional risk factors of depression, which were traditionally accepted in the Afghan society since long period of time and it suggests some recommendations for the betterment of women’s life.