انتشار الاكتئاب في ضوء بعض المتغيرات الديموغرافية في السودان: دراسة تحليلية للفترة من (2000 إلى 2023)

أسماء محمد مصطفى دفع الله

doi:10.55074/hesj.vi49.1553

Authors

Asma Mohammed Mustafa Dafaalla Assistant Professor of Mental Health, Department of Psychology, College of Languages and Humanities, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and College of Human Sciences, Bahri University, Sudan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55074/hesj.vi49.1553

Keywords:

Depression, Demographic Variables, Psychiatric Patients, Sudan

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the prevalence of depression among psychiatric patients in Sudan during the period from (2000 to 2023), in relation to several demographic variables, including gender, age, marital status, educational level, and geographical location. The study employed a descriptive-analytical methodology, with data collected from the records of previously diagnosed patients across seven psychiatric hospitals and units located in various states. A convenience sample was used, resulting in a final sample size of (4,779) cases. Given the nature of the available clinical and diagnostic data, frequencies and percentages were calculated for statistical analysis. The results indicated that the prevalence of depression was (%18.7) of the total sample. The highest prevalence was found among individuals aged (21-30), followed by those aged (31-40). The prevalence was also higher among females, as well as among single and married individuals. Regarding educational level, the highest prevalence was observed among individuals with secondary education, followed by those with university education. The findings also revealed variation in prevalence rates across different states, as well as over the period from (2000 to 2023), with a general upward trend. Based on these findings, the study recommends implementing awareness campaigns to increase public knowledge about depression and its associated factors, and to promote early intervention programs, particularly for high-risk groups. It further recommends expanding mental health services, improving psychological infrastructure-especially in states with higher prevalence rates-and integrating mental health services into the general healthcare system. Finally, it calls for aligning health policies with data derived from local studies, to serve as a reference for decision-makers in the Ministry of Health.

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