Study of socio-demographic and service characteristics of servicemen treated for depression at Combined Military Hospital Multan cantonment

ABSTRACT

To describe the socio-demographic and service characteristics, of the active duty servicemen, of Pakistan Armed Forces, presenting with depression. Descriptive study [cross-sectional survey]. The study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital Multan from Septernber2006 to April 2009. Servicemen [n=305] meeting [DSM-IV-TR] criteria for depression were included in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics [age, education, marital status, duration of marriage, No of kids, monthly income] and service data [rank, service bracket, arm, trade, exposure to hard area and duration of exposure to hard area, service and non-service factors and working hours] were recorded with the help of proforma designed for this purpose. Out of 305 depressed servicemen 208 [68.2%] were in the age group 18-35 years. Two hundred and fifty three [83.0%] were married while 52[17%] were single. One hundred and one [39.9%] were married for the last 5-15 years. One Hundred and eighty four [60.3%] were receiving monthly income PKR6000-10000 and 207[67.9%] were having educational level Matric /FA. One hundred and sixty six [54.4%] were Soldiers [Sepoy / Lnk] and 224[73.4%] had technical trades. One hundred thirty four [43.9%] had service bracket 1-10 years. Two hundred and four [66.9%] had no exposure to hard area. Two hundred and five [67.2%] had working hours more than 8 hours. Fifty nine [19.3%] reported inadequate rehabilitation while 140 [45.9%] had family related stressors. Most of the depressed servicemen in this study were relatively young, married personnel from junior ranks, technical trades, having Matric/ FA level education and low monthly income. However there is a need to conduct further studies to establish association of depression with various socio-demographic and service factors