Determinants of Health-Seeking Behavior in Major Depressive Disorder: An Observational Study

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common illnesses in the world and a major cause of years lived with disability. It is necessary to diagnose and treat depression promptly.

Objectives: To identify and compare factors affecting health-seeking behavior in patients suffering from MDD.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population was divided into two groups: early and late health seekers (cut off: three months). Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9) as well as Perceived and Personal Depression Stigma Scores were calculated. Data were analyzed and the chi-square test and z-test were used to calculate statistical significance.

Results: There were 102 participants. The majority were female (62.75%) and the maximum number of participants were from the age group of 26-45 years (65.69%). There were more early help seekers (61.76%) than late help seekers (38.24%). The majority of early help seekers were married individuals. Distance played a vital role in help-seeking behavior. A significant association was also found between participants' personal stigma and late treatment seeking. The most common reason for delaying medical attention was that patients thought that they could cure themselves, followed by a lack of awareness.

Conclusion: Delay and hesitance observed concerning health-seeking behavior are assumed to be associated with factors such as gender, income, family or marital status, stigma, lack of awareness, beliefs and practices, and deficient health facilities causing delays in the diagnosis and management of MDD. The research supported that involving primary health care centers, spreading awareness about the disease, and increasing psychiatric facilities, along with a special emphasis on factors as mentioned like gender, marital status, stigma, and feasibility of reaching facility as distance plays a major role in causing delay, and can help decrease the duration of symptom from the onset, initiating appropriate treatment, and improving prognosis.