Depression Literacy and its Relationship with the of Depression Stigma and Attitude Toward Seeking Help In Iranian Women

Background: Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders are more prevalent among women than males. Considering the prevalence of depression and the importance of depression literacy and factors related to it, this research was conducted to investigate the assessment of depression literacy and its relationship with depression stigma and Attitude towards seeking help in Iranian women referring to health centers in Saveh City. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study we recruited ۲۸۰ women aged ۱۸–۶۵ according to cluster sampling from September ۲۰۲۳ to December ۲۰۲۳ in Saveh County, Iran. Reliable and validated tools were applied to data collection, including the D-Lit Questionnaire, Attitude towards seeking help and personal depression stigma subscale. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. The predictors were also determined using hierarchical linear regression analysis. Results: the lowest correct answer was related to knowledge of the available treatment methods (۱۵.۴%). the mean (± SD) D-Lit, attitude towards seeking help, and personal depression stigma were ۴۱.۳۶۴.۸۳, ۲۳.۶۳±۳.۶۹, and ۲۵.۳۹±۴.۳۶ Respectively. Education level, Participants consulted psychologist, Attitude towards seeking help, and depression stigma variables were able to explain roughly ۲۳% of the variation in depression literacy. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that Iranian women's depression literacy was not acceptable. Also emphasizes addressing depression stigma to improve depression literacy women. attitudes toward mental health services must be addressed. Knowledge gaps in depression treatment and the importance of accurate information dissemination are highlighted. Efforts should target correcting misconceptions and promoting credible mental health information sources.

Keywords:

depression literacy , depression stigma , women