Yasmin N Farooqi.
Depression and anxiety in patients undergoing hysterectomy.
J Pak Psych Soc Jan ;2(1):13-6.

Objectives: The present research evaluated depression and anxiety in patients undergoing hysterectomy during their pre-surgical and post surgical phases. Design: A Pre-Post Research Design was used. Place and Duration of Study This study has carried out at Department of Gynaecology Lady Wellington Hospital Lahore Pakistan Subjects And Methods: Sample consisted of 50 hysterectomy patients, selected from the Gynaecology Department of Lady Wellington Hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. Each subject was individually administered Depression Scale and Anxiety Check-List twice; that is: 1-7 days before and 1-7 days after surgery. Results: All the hysterectomy patients seemed to experience more depression (t=-2.55;df=48;*p<0.05) and anxiety (t= -5.74;df=48;*p<0.05) during their post-surgical phase as compared to their pre-surgical phase, probably due to the psychosocial and cultural misconceptions and biased attitudes attached to “loss of uterus” in Pakistani society where a woman`s status and role primarily revolves around her reproductive capacity. Conclusion: Women undergoing hysterectomy experience more depression and anxiety in post-surgical phase probably due to the psychosocial and cultural misconceptions and biased attitudes attached to “loss of uterus” in Pakistani society where a woman`s status and role primarily revolves around her reproductive capacity.

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