Female education ban by the Taliban: A descriptive survey study on suicidal ideation, mental health, and health-related quality of life among girls in Afghanistan.

BACKGROUND: Following the Taliban's resurgence, Afghan girls were probited from attending school and university, likely causing adverse psychological effects. Therefore, the present study investigated depression, suicidal ideation, and quality of life (QoL) among Afghan girls banned from education by the Taliban. METHODS: A survey study assessed depression, suicidal ideation, and QoL among 426 females prohibited from attending secondary schools, high schools, and universities by the Taliban. The study used the CES-D 20 Scale to assess depression, and the WHOQOL-Bref Questionnaire to assess QoL. Associations between variables were tested with chi-square tests, and predictors of QoL were analyzed through multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 426 participants, 87.6% exhibited depression symptoms and 49.8% reported suicidal thoughts. Significant predictors of overall QoL included monthly family income (B = 0.147, P = 0.001), recent others' behavior toward participants (B = -0.247, P < 0.001), physical illness (B = 0.110, P = 0.011), experiencing a recent traumatic event (B = 0.108, P = 0.015), depression (B = -0.159, P < 0.001) and suicidal ideation (B = -0.187, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, the results indicated that female students who have been prohibited from studying in classes have a high prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation. Having depression and suicidal ideation significantly predicted decreased quality of life among female students.

Antenatal depression among pregnant mothers in Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately one in five pregnant women experience antenatal depression globally. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of antenatal depression and explore its relationship between various demographic variables, recent sexual engagement, and recent adverse life events among pregnant Afghan women. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was carried out between January, 2023 and April 2023 among 460 women aged 15-45 years who were recruited using convenience sampling from Herat province (Afghanistan). Logistic regression models were utilized to explore the relationship between antenatal depression and socio-demographic characteristics among the participants. RESULTS: The prevalence of antenatal depression symptoms was 78.5%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that antenatal depression was significantly associated with (i) being aged 30-45 years (AOR: 4.216, 95% CI: 1.868-9.515, p = .001), (ii) being of low economic status (AOR:2.102, 95% CI: 1.051-4.202, p = .036), (iii) not being employed (AOR: 2.445, 95% CI:1.189-5.025, p = .015), (iv) not having had sex during the past seven days (AOR: 2.335, 95% CI: 1.427-3.822, p = .001), and (v) not experiencing a traumatic event during the past month (AOR:0.263, 95% CI: 0.139-0.495, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The present study provides insight into the factors associated with the high prevalence of antenatal depression among pregnant Afghan women (e.g., demographic variables, recent adverse life events, and recent sexual engagement). It highlights the urgency of addressing antenatal depression in Afghanistan and provides a foundation for future research and interventions aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of pregnant women in the Afghan context.

Hypertension, depression, and health-related quality of life among hospitalized patients in Afghanistan.

In recent decades, hypertension has become the foremost risk factor for disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The present study investigated the relationship between quality of life, depression, and hypertension among hospitalized patients in Afghanistan. A cross-sectional survey was administered from September 3, 2022, to February 2, 2023, in the Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif provinces of Afghanistan (N = 2059). The prevalence of depression symptoms was 65.8%, and hypertension was 20.9%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that moderate physical functioning, poor role-physical, higher bodily pain, poor general health, poor social functioning, lower role-emotional, and poor mental health significantly predicted depression. Multiple regression analysis indicated that moderate quality of life, poor physical functioning, higher bodily pain, lower energy/fatigue, and depression significantly predicted hypertension. The findings of the present study offer valuable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers in developing targeted interventions and policies to enhance the well-being of individuals facing the challenges of depression and hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension and depression was high among patients in the Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif provinces of Afghanistan. Patients with hypertension had poor mental and physical quality of life. Hospitals should therefore implement regular screening for depression and offer psychological counseling for vulnerable patients with hypertension.