Association of anxiety and depression with physical and sensory functional difficulties in adults in five population-based surveys in low and middle-income countries

Sarah Wallace, Islay Mactaggart, Lena Morgon Banks, Sarah Polack and Hannah Kuper

PLOS ONE, 2020, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to assess the association between anxiety and depression with physical and sensory functional difficulties, among adults living in five low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods and findings: A secondary data analysis was undertaken using population-based disability survey data from five LMICs, including two national surveys (Guatemala, Maldives) and 3 regional/district surveys (Nepal, India, Cameroon). 19,337 participants were sampled in total (range 1,617–7,604 in individual studies). Anxiety, depression, and physical and sensory functional difficulties were assessed using the Washington Group Extended Question Set on Functioning. Age-sex adjusted logistic regression analyses were undertaken to assess the association of anxiety and depression with hearing, visual or mobility functional difficulties. Conclusion: People with physical and sensory functional difficulties are more likely to report experiencing depression and anxiety. This evidence supports the need for ensuring a good awareness of mental health among those working with individuals with physical and sensory functional difficulties in LMICs. This implies that these practitioners must have the skills to identify anxiety and depression. Furthermore, mental health services must be available and accessible to patients with these conditions, which will likely require further programmatic scale-up in these LMIC settings.

Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0231563

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231563

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