Aliya Naheed1, Md Saimul Islam1, Saima Wazed Hossain2, Helal Uddin Ahmed3, M M Jalal Uddin4, Fahmida Tofail5, Jena Derakhshani Hamadani6, A H M Enayet Hussain7, Kerim Munir8,9. 1. Initiative for Non-Communicable Diseases, Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2. Shuchona Foundation, Bangabandhu Memorial Trust Building, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 3. National Institute of Mental Health, Bangladesh (NIMH,B), Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 4. National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Bangladesh (NINS,B), Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 5. NCSD Administration, Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh. 6. Maternal and Neonatal Health, Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh. 7. Planning and Development, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dhaka, Bangladesh. 8. Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 9. Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Department and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the burden of depression and quality of life (QoL) among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attending six schools offering special educational services for children with ASD in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. All consenting mothers were 18 years of age and older and met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) on the Structured Interview for DSM-V-TR Research Version-non patient edition administered by trained raters. QoL was assessed by the EuroQol five-dimensional standardized questionnaire. MDD was diagnosed in 45% of mothers and was proportionally higher among those who did not work outside the home, had no childcare support at home, expressed low level of satisfaction with the quality of providers when they had sought care for their children with ASD, and reported being recipient of negative attitudes from neighbors toward their children with ASD. QoL was negatively associated with MDD, mothers' illness, and low satisfaction with the health care providers for children with ASD, as well as experiencing a negative attitude by neighbors toward their children. QoL was positively associated with the reported family monthly income and improvement of the children with ASD on school attendance. The prevalence of MDD among mothers of children with ASD was high and associated with poor QoL. Integrating mental health services and supports for mothers in the ASD care of children is likely to address the high burden of depression they face, and improve their overall quality of life. Autism Res 2020, 13: 284-297.
This cross-sectional study examined the burden of depression and quality of life (QoL) among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attending six schools offering special educational services for children with ASD in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. All consenting mothers were 18 years of age and older and met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) on the Structured Interview for DSM-V-TR Research Version-non patient edition administered by trained raters. QoL was assessed by the EuroQol five-dimensional standardized questionnaire. MDD was diagnosed in 45% of mothers and was proportionally higher among those who did not work outside the home, had no childcare support at home, expressed low level of satisfaction with the quality of providers when they had sought care for their children with ASD, and reported being recipient of negative attitudes from neighbors toward their children with ASD. QoL was negatively associated with MDD, mothers' illness, and low satisfaction with the health care providers for children with ASD, as well as experiencing a negative attitude by neighbors toward their children. QoL was positively associated with the reported family monthly income and improvement of the children with ASD on school attendance. The prevalence of MDD among mothers of children with ASD was high and associated with poor QoL. Integrating mental health services and supports for mothers in the ASD care of children is likely to address the high burden of depression they face, and improve their overall quality of life. Autism Res 2020, 13: 284-297.