Prevalence and predictors of depression in Jordanian women post-hysterectomy: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression among Jordanian women who underwent hysterectomy and determine the associations with their demographic characteristics and their social support levels.

Methods

The study included women over 18 years who underwent hysterectomy and received care at government hospitals in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The study instruments were a demographic questionnaire, a Depression, and Stress Scale (DASS), and a social support scale. The DASS categorises depression levels as ’No depression’, ‘Mild’, ’Moderate’, ’Severe’, to ’Extremely severe’.

Results

The study included 220 participating women; 68.2 % of them (n = 150) were married, with a mean age of 48.17 (SD = 11.78) years. Approximately half of the women reported experiencing some form of depressive symptoms. The study found significant negative relationships between depression and age, (r = −0.403; p < 0.001), number of children (r = −0.342; p < 0.001), and sexuality pattern change. Additionally, there were significant positive correlations between depression and duration of marriage, body mass index, employment status, marital status, fertility wishes, education level, and family income. The whole regression model concerning depression was significant, with an R² of 0.256. Depression among Jordanian women who underwent hysterectomy was significantly predicted by their age (β = −0.315, p < 0.001); sexuality change (β = −0.207, p = 0.001); and number of children (β = −0.202, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Depression was highly prevalent among Jordanian women who underwent hysterectomy and was significantly predicted by age, sexuality change, and number of children.