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Background <p>Given the many adverse health outcomes associated with depression, it is imperative to promote help-seeking behaviors. However, in Lesotho, there are no published studies that have investigated the help-seeking dynamics for depression. As such, the following questions remain unanswered: (a) What proportion of people living with depression in Lesotho seek help? (b) Are there significant sex differences in the factors associated with help-seeking for depression? To address these questions, we examined the prevalence and sex differences in the factors associated with help-seeking for depression in Lesotho.</p> Methods <p>Secondary data from the 2023–2024 Lesotho demographic and health survey was used. We sampled 2172 men and 1484 women. Binary logistic regression models were fitted in STATA 18. Statistical significance was set at <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05.</p> Results <p>Overall, the proportion of women who sought help for depression was slightly higher (17.1% [14.4–20.3]) compared to men (16.4% [14.3–18.8]). More women (43.6%) sought help for depression from formal help providers than men. Likewise, more than half of male participants (60%) sought help from informal sources. Among men, those with moderate depression had significantly higher odds of seeking help (AOR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.56–2.61). Help-seeking was also more likely among men with secondary education (AOR = 1.98, 95%CI: 1.13–3.47), those currently in a union (AOR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.41–2.42) or previously in a union (AOR = 2.30, 95%CI: 1.54–3.45), and those in the richest wealth index (AOR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.06–2.53). Among women, moderate (AOR = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.76–3.32) and severe depression (AOR = 3.42, 95%CI: 2.26–5.18) significantly increased help-seeking likelihood. Women aged 45–59&#xa0;years (AOR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.36–4.45), exposed to media (AOR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.21–2.19), or consuming alcohol (AOR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.01–1.84) also had higher odds of seeking help.</p> Conclusion <p>Help-seeking for depression is low among men and women in Lesotho. However, the factors associated with help-seeking differ by sex. Among women, leveraging the media could yield more effective outcomes; among men, addressing poverty and improving education could prove effective in improving help-seeking for depression. The study also underscores a need to focus on harnessing the potential of informal support networks.</p>

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Sex differences in help-seeking behavior for depression in Lesotho: findings from a national survey

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月27日

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  • Joshua Okyere,
  • Castro Ayebeng,
  • Kwamena Sekyi Dickson

摘要

Background

Given the many adverse health outcomes associated with depression, it is imperative to promote help-seeking behaviors. However, in Lesotho, there are no published studies that have investigated the help-seeking dynamics for depression. As such, the following questions remain unanswered: (a) What proportion of people living with depression in Lesotho seek help? (b) Are there significant sex differences in the factors associated with help-seeking for depression? To address these questions, we examined the prevalence and sex differences in the factors associated with help-seeking for depression in Lesotho.

Methods

Secondary data from the 2023–2024 Lesotho demographic and health survey was used. We sampled 2172 men and 1484 women. Binary logistic regression models were fitted in STATA 18. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Overall, the proportion of women who sought help for depression was slightly higher (17.1% [14.4–20.3]) compared to men (16.4% [14.3–18.8]). More women (43.6%) sought help for depression from formal help providers than men. Likewise, more than half of male participants (60%) sought help from informal sources. Among men, those with moderate depression had significantly higher odds of seeking help (AOR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.56–2.61). Help-seeking was also more likely among men with secondary education (AOR = 1.98, 95%CI: 1.13–3.47), those currently in a union (AOR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.41–2.42) or previously in a union (AOR = 2.30, 95%CI: 1.54–3.45), and those in the richest wealth index (AOR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.06–2.53). Among women, moderate (AOR = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.76–3.32) and severe depression (AOR = 3.42, 95%CI: 2.26–5.18) significantly increased help-seeking likelihood. Women aged 45–59 years (AOR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.36–4.45), exposed to media (AOR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.21–2.19), or consuming alcohol (AOR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.01–1.84) also had higher odds of seeking help.

Conclusion

Help-seeking for depression is low among men and women in Lesotho. However, the factors associated with help-seeking differ by sex. Among women, leveraging the media could yield more effective outcomes; among men, addressing poverty and improving education could prove effective in improving help-seeking for depression. The study also underscores a need to focus on harnessing the potential of informal support networks.