Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

12-2021

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Health Promotion

First Committee Member

Shannon Maloney

Second Committee Member

Melissa Tibbits

Third Committee Member

Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway

Abstract

Background: Depression is associated with estrogen hormonal changes. There are few comparisons studies on the population-level prevalence of depression in women at least a year post final menstruation with and without hysterectomy.

Objectives: 1) To determine the population-level prevalence of depression in women with at least a year post final menstruation with and without hysterectomy and 2) to calculate the summary statistics of women with at least a year post final menstruation with and without hysterectomy

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional design was used. Respondents were female participants of the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. Women at least a year post-final menstruation without a history of hysterectomy had a complete lack of menstruation for 12 months and selected menopause as the cause. Women with at least a year post-final menstruation following hysterectomy had a complete absence of menstruation for 12 months, and hysterectomy was chosen as the cause. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze depression between the two categories.

Results: Total respondents (N=1,249): women without hysterectomy (n=767) and women with hysterectomy (n=482). The overall prevalence of depression in women with at least a year post final menstruation with or without hysterectomy was 133 per 1,000 population, higher in women with hysterectomy (74/482) than in women without hysterectomy (92/767). Compared to women without hysterectomy, women with hysterectomy had final menstruation at younger age below 44 years (63% vs. 17%) and used depression medication (23% vs. 13%).

Conclusion: Findings suggest depression is common and the differences in prevalence between women with and without hysterectomy are related to the timing of the final menstrual period.

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