Year: 2026 | Month: November | Volume: 16 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 20-28
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20261103
Prevalence and Correlates of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Youth (15-24 years) in Rural Varanasi: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study
Siddharth Singh1, Hari Shankar2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Chirayu Medical College and Hospital, Chirayu University, Bhopal, India.
2Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Siddharth Singh
ABSTRACT
Background: Most mental disorders begin before age 25, but community-based data on young people in rural India are limited. We estimated the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among rural youth and identified their correlates.
Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 385 youth aged 15–24 years in Chiraigaon block, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, selected by multistage random sampling. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed with the DASS-21. Sociodemographic details, anthropometry, blood pressure, haemoglobin and physical activity (IPAQ short form) were recorded. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and multivariable binary logistic regression, reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Results: The prevalence of depression was 13.0% (95% CI 10.0–16.7), anxiety 5.7% (3.8–8.5) and stress 6.2% (4.2–9.1). Overall, 23.1% had at least one condition. Depression was independently associated with female sex (aOR 3.48, 1.18–10.20), underweight (aOR 3.59, 1.62–7.98) and sitting ≥6 h/day (aOR 4.62, 1.77–12.05). It was less likely in those aged 20–24 years (aOR 0.18, 0.08–0.42) and in those with high physical activity (aOR 0.16, 0.07–0.36). Anxiety was associated with age 20–24 years (aOR 15.94, 3.45–73.64), sitting ≥6 h/day (aOR 44.10, 5.58–348.43) and raised blood pressure (aOR 6.08, 1.15–32.22). Stress was less likely among youth in joint families (aOR 0.16, 0.06–0.40) and students (aOR 0.21, 0.07–0.66).
Conclusions: About one in four rural youth had depression, anxiety or stress. Adolescent girls, underweight youth and those with sedentary lifestyles should be prioritised for screening, and youth mental health services should be strengthened through existing adolescent and primary care platforms.
Key words: depression; anxiety; psychological stress; DASS-21; youth; rural health; India