Abstract:
: We aimed to determine the frequency of depression, anxiety and insomnia; identify associated factors; and
compare these outcomes amongst a privileged and underprivileged class of Pakistan. A cross-sectional online and face to
face survey was conducted in Karachi from April 2020 to May 2020. Validated depression (World Health Organization
self-reporting questionnaire), anxiety (general anxiety and depression scale) and insomnia (insomnia severity index)
scales were used. Out of 447 participants, the majority were less than 30 years (63.8%) and females (57.7%); 20.8%
study participants belonged to poor or very poor socioeconomic status; 17% respondents were from lower middle status
and 38% belonged to the higher middle or rich class. Depression, anxiety and insomnia were identified in 30%, 30.63%
and 8.5% of participants, respectively. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia among privileged people was
37.8%, 16.6% and 11.3% respectively whereas among underprivileged were 17.8%, 16.6% and 4.1% respectively. There
were significant differences in frequencies of depression (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.001) and insomnia (p=0.009) among
the privileged and underprivileged classes. We found a high prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia among both
the privileged and underprivileged Pakistani population and a policy needs to be devised to ensure the mental health of
Pakistani population.
