Depression and its associated factors among elderly patients attending rural primary health care setting

Abstract

Background: Depression is a growing public health challenge in India due to increase in the population of elderly and drastic changes in the socio-cultural environment. There is a dearth of information regarding depression among elderly patients attending primary health care setting in rural India. Hence present study was undertaken.Methods:Data was collected from seventy five elderly patients attending a preventive geriatric clinic in a rural health training centre with the help of pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire by employing interviewer administered method. In the clinic, elderly patients were screened for cognitive impairment by using translated version of abbreviated mental test (AMT) scale. Data on socio-demographic characteristics were collected. Anthropometric measurements such as standing height, weight and waist circumference were taken as per standard guidelines. Depression was assessed by validated geriatric depression scale (GDS-15) (Kannada version). Subsequently, the standard of living index and housing conditions were assessed by visiting the houses of the elderly patients.Results: The proportion of depression among elderly was found to be 32%. Depression was found to be statistically associated with illiteracy (P<0.05, OR=4.6) and lack of separate living room in the house (P= 0.01, OR= 3.5) and not associated with obesity.Conclusions:Around one third elderly patients attending the primary health care setting were found to be suffering from depression. The illiteracy and lack of separate living room for elderly in the house were associated with depression, which call for further in-depth research.

Depression among older adults: a systematic review ofSouth Asian countries

“…• Education status: Illiterate 17, 19, 21, 25–28, 31, 34, 36, 38, 42, 48, 52, 54, 63, 65, 67, 71–73, 81, 82, 90, 91, 94, 96, 107, 108, 124, 128, 131, 132 …”

Urban-rural and gender differential in depressive symptoms among elderly in India

“…Depression can affect people from all backgrounds across the life course; however, it is more pronounced in older people [ 6 ]. The Elderly are more prone to psychological disturbances due to natural age-related decline in physiological functioning, leading to severe depression [ 48 ]. Currently, geriatric depression is a growing concern in India due to an increase in the proportion of the elderly population.…”

Psychometric evaluation of the Hospitalisation‐Related Stressors Questionnaire for Elderly Patients

“…2 Old age is a period when individuals lose status, the risk of addiction and accidents increase, physical abilities decrease, health deteriorates, and chronic diseases increase, social problems such as retirement and loss of productivity rise. 3 In this period, individuals undergo physical, social and emotional changes. 4 However, the problem of stress and harmony when individuals will face these changes is not only about the event itself, but also about how individuals themselves interpret all these experiences and what kind of meanings they attribute to these.…”

“…4 However, the problem of stress and harmony when individuals will face these changes is not only about the event itself, but also about how individuals themselves interpret all these experiences and what kind of meanings they attribute to these. 3,5 Old age is a period in which diseases are experienced intensely, and inpatient services are frequently used. 6 Additionally, the elderly population has a higher frequency of hospitalisation than other groups.…”