https://stm2.bookpi.org/PDASAFMWRK <p>Mental health has increasingly become an area of global concern, especially in developing countries where cultural, social, and economic factors profoundly influence the well-being of individuals. Among women, particularly married women in rural communities, mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and stress are often under-recognised and under-addressed. This study was undertaken with the intention of highlighting the prevalence of these issues and identifying the associated factors that contribute to their burden.</p> <p>The book, Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Its Associated Factors among Married Women in Rural Kolar, emerges from my postgraduate research and reflects both an academic inquiry and a public health necessity. It aims to bridge a critical knowledge gap by providing evidence that can guide policymakers, healthcare providers, and community workers in designing effective interventions.</p> <p>I am deeply indebted to my mentors, colleagues, and peers whose guidance and encouragement were invaluable throughout this journey. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the study participants, whose willingness to share their experiences made this work possible. I also acknowledge the unwavering support of my family, who stood by me with patience and motivation.</p> <p>I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my beloved mother, Mrs D. Buvaneswari, for her unconditional love, constant support, and encouragement throughout my academic journey. Her strength, sacrifices, and unwavering belief in me have been a source of inspiration and motivation at every stage of this work. Without her blessings and support, this dissertation would not have been possible.</p> <p>It is my sincere hope that this book will serve as a useful resource for medical students, public health practitioners, researchers, and all those who are committed to improving the mental health and overall quality of life of women in rural settings.</p> en-US Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.10 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 https://stm2.bookpi.org/PDASAFMWRK/article/view/465 <p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress are pressing public health concerns, particularly among married women in rural India. Socio-economic challenges, cultural norms, and familial responsibilities contribute to their heightened risk of psychological distress. Despite the severity of these issues, research and data on mental health in rural areas like Kolar, Karnataka, remain limited, making it difficult to fully address their needs.</p> <p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among rural married women in Kolar and also to identify those associated socio-demographic factors.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional observational study conducted within a specific population between July 2023 and December 2024 among 630 married women aged 18–60 years in the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) field practice area of Devarayasamudra, Kolar. Participants were selected using multi-stage random sampling. Data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and the DASS-42 scale, which includes 42 items across three subscales—depression, anxiety, and stress—each rated on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 to 3. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0 with Chi-square tests and logistic regression.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 72.3%, 71.9%, and 61.9%, respectively. Severe to extremely severe forms were notably high. Significant associations were found between mental health status and factors like age, education level, socioeconomic status, and family structure (p&lt;0.05). Older women and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds showed higher prevalence rates.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> A substantial burden of depression, anxiety, and stress exists among married women in rural Kolar. Socio-demographic factors critically influence mental health. Community-based mental health programs focusing on early detection and socio-economic empowerment are urgently needed. Additionally, region-specific mental health research and longitudinal studies should be encouraged to generate local evidence for informed policy-making.</p> Dr. Abhiharshan SB, Dr. Muninarayana C, Dr. Pradeep TS Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s). The licensee is the publisher (BP International). https://stm2.bookpi.org/PDASAFMWRK/article/view/465 Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000