The new scale proved to be valid and reliable. This scale is recommended for use for scaling the socioeconomic level of families for health research.

Insomnia is a common problem among the elderly in Alexandria. Female sex, chronic diseases, mental health problems, and bad sleep hygiene practice increase the risk for insomnia. Improving knowledge among the elderly about the prevalence and risk factors of insomnia could help the development of effective public health prevention and intervention programs for better sleep quality.

A goal of this intervention program was considerably achieved. Importantly, the intervention appears to improve sleep quality among the elders. Data from this study re-enforce the continuing need for more sleep educational programs that are intended to attract the attention of elders especially those institutionalized.

Depression is projected to be the leading cause of disease burden in older populations by the year 2020. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence depression among a group of elders in Alexandria, Egypt and compare the characteristic of elders in 3 different settings. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 people aged 60+ years in a government elderly home, an internal medicine ward in Alexandria Main University Hospital and a slum area in Alexandria. Based on the Geriatric Depression Scale (short form) the highest prevalence of scores that were suggestive or indicative of depression was among elders who were hospitalized (79.0%), had ophthalmic diseases (85.7%) or tumours (80.0%), had 2+ chronic morbidities (64.9%), were taking 4+ medications daily (83,3%), were more physically dependent and had had 2+ hospital admissions in the last 3 years (90.9%). Modifiable factors that impact on depression need to be considered in developing interventions for improving mood states in the elderly. RÉSUMÉ Il a été estimé que la dépression représenterait la cause principale de la charge morbide dans les populations de personnes âgées d'ici 2020. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer la prévalence de la dépression dans un groupe d'anciens à Alexandrie (Égypte), et de comparer les caractéristiques de ces derniers dans trois milieux différents. Une étude transversale descriptive a été menée auprès de 100 personnes âgées de plus de 60 ans dans une maison de retraite du gouvernement, dans un service de médecine interne et dans un bidonville à Alexandrie. À partir de la version abrégée de l'échelle gériatrique de dépression, les scores indiquant ou suggérant une dépression étaient plus élevés dans les populations suivantes : les anciens hospitalisés (79,0 %), les personnes âgées souffrant de maladies ophtalmiques (85,7 %) ou de tumeurs (80,0 %), atteintes de plus deux comorbidités chroniques (64,9 %), ou prenant plus de quatre traitements quotidiens (83,3 %), ou davantage dépendants physiquement et admis plus de deux fois à l'hôpital au cours des trois années précédentes (90,9 %). Les facteurs modifiables ayant un impact sur la dépression doivent être pris en compte dans l'élaboration d'interventions visant à lutter contre la dépression chez les anciens.

Hypertension and the intake of a number of medications were significantly associated with HI. It is recommended to use screening procedures for the identification of individuals with HI and to refer them for further audiologic evaluation.