Mental Depression Among The Female Sex Workers And Their Childrens' Nutritional Status In Daulatdia Brothel

INTRODUCTION: Although studies conducted on the mental health of female sex workers are rare (Romans, 2001), few studies reveal that mental depression among sex workers is higher in comparison to general population. Poor maternal mental health, especially mental depression, may be a risk factor for poor growth in young children (Rahman et al. 2008). As rapid physical development occur in early life when infants are dependent on the caregivers for their social and nutritional needs, they may prone to the effects of their caregivers’ mental health problems (Black et al. 2007). Considering these, this study tried to assess mental wellbeing of the Female Sex Worker (FSW) mothers and their children’s nutritional status of Doulatdia brothel. 

METHODS: The study involved 240 FSW mothers of ≤ 2 years (6-24 months) and 3-5 years old children. Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to measure the mental wellbeing of FSWs. The study also measured height, weight and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of children. The nutritional status of children measured according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline.  

RESULTS: Almost 3 in every 4 FSW (78.3%) mother have identified as ‘depressed.’ Among depressed mothers of 6-24 months children 60% of them have stunted children and of them 44.7% found severely stunted. Similarly wasting of 6-24 months children found among 16.4% of depressed mothers. 27.1% of depressed mothers have underweight children of 6-24 months. For the mothers of 3-5 years children, it is seen that 24.2 % of the depressed mothers have stunted children. 12.6% of the depressed mothers of 3-5 years children have children with wasting. Percentage of depressed mother with underweight children is found 18.9%.

CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that, Depression among the FSW mothers in Daulatdia brothel could have a substantial influence on Childrens’ growth and development.