Prevalence, healthcare service utilization, and factors associated with depression among older adults in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of depression among older adults in Brazil and the associated factors, and to describe the characteristics of health service utilization and treatments provided to older adults with depression. Method A cross-sectional, analytical study involving 22,728 older adults who participated in the National Health Survey (PNS), randomly selected across Brazil from August 2019 to March 2020. The outcome was self-reported depression, and the exposures were sociodemographic variables and a social network score. Descriptive and multiple analyses using logistic regression were employed. Results The prevalence of self-reported depression among older adults was 11.8% (95% CI: 11.1-12.57). It was observed that 71.6% (95% CI: 67.9-75.0) of the older population with depression only undergoes pharmacological treatment. There was a higher likelihood of depression among older women (OR=2.46; 95% CI: 2.06-2.94), aged 60 to 69 years (OR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.31-2.14), with white skin color (OR=2.95; 95% CI: 1.62-5.39), residents of the South region (OR=3.01; 95% CI: 2.27-4.00), and with multimorbidity (OR=1.79; 95% CI: 1.49-2.14). Conclusion Depression appeared with considerable frequency among older adults, especially among women. There is a need to encourage the adoption of non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of the condition, such as the use of integrative and complementary practices, physical activities, lifestyle changes, and the promotion of social activities.