Prevalence and predictors of depression in community-dwelling elderly in rural Haryana, India

Abstract

Background:Depression in the elderly has been emerged as a serious public health challenge in the developing countries. Elderly population with depression is on rise in India, but is not adequately addressed. This study was planned to ascertain the prevalence of depression among elderly in a rural population of Haryana and assess its socio-demographic correlates.Methods:This study was a community based, cross sectional study, which was conducted in Community Health Centre (CHC), Chiri of Rohtak district (Haryana, India). Of total 124 Anganwadi centres in study area, 10 were randomly selected. A total 500 elderly persons aged 60 years and above were randomly screened for depression. Long form of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS- 30) was used with cut off score at 22. The Pearson’s Chi-squared test, student’s t test, and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the association of depression in the elderly with its risk factors.Result:In our study, the prevalence of depression in the elderly was 14.4% (95% CI: 11.6- 17.8). Mean age of study population was 68.5 ± 7.7 years. Depression in the elderly had significant association with female gender [OR=2.7 (95% CI 1.4- 5.0)], not being consulted for major decisions [OR=2.7 (95% CI 1.5- 4.7)], presence of any chronic morbidity [OR=2.4 (95% CI 1.3- 4.5)], spending day without doing any activity, work or hobby [OR=3.8 (2.1- 7.1)], and death of any close relative in the last 1 year [OR=2 (1.1- 3.7)] after adjustment of various factors.Conclusion:Our study revealed that the prevalence of depression in the elderly was 14.4% in a rural community of north India.

Depression among the elderly population in Sohag governorate

“…In the present study, a significantly higher proportion of women suffered from depression compared with men ( p <0.001), which agrees with the results of studies conducted in many countries. 1 , 10 , 18 , 19 , 32 As a fact of life, the female sex has a high tendency to develop depression. For elderly women, the underlying reasons are being old, being women, and being poor; moreover, they are mostly deprived of family support, especially after an early loss of their spouses.…”

“…For elderly women, the underlying reasons are being old, being women, and being poor; moreover, they are mostly deprived of family support, especially after an early loss of their spouses. 18 , 19…”

“… 17 Females are more liable to develop depression, especially in old age because they lose their traditional housewife role due to functional disabilities. 18 Furthermore, they are often alone after the early loss of their husbands and as a consequence receive decreased support from family. 19 Moreover, rural residents suffer from more morbidities and limited accessibility to healthcare services, especially when they are alone and often lack a regular income which may add to an increased probability of developing depression.…”

Prevalence and association of Depression with other chronic morbidities among adults in an urban area of Haryana

“…This difference was found statistically significant for hypertension, diabetes mellitus and neurological disorders. (Table 4) In a population based study by Pilania et al (2017) in Haryana showed prevalence of depression to be higher in study participants with chronic morbidity (20.9%) as compared to those who had no chronic morbidity (6.9%) and this difference was found statistically significant for diseases like diabetes (35.3%), hypertension (31%), respiratory disorders (23.3%) and hemiparesis (12.8%). (11) Mukeshimana and Mchunu (2016) in a review of articles published from 1991 to 2012 on comorbidity of Depression and other Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases found that the prevalence of depression was significantly higher in those with chronic non-communicable diseases in all regions of the world.…”

A Study on the Effects of Agomelatine on Food Intake and Body Weight in Restraint Stress Model in Adult Swiss Albino Mice

“…A meta-analysis reported that the worldwide prevalence rate of depressive disorders in elderly population between 4.7% and 16% with a comparatively higher prevalence of 21.9% in India [2]. A study conducted in North India has shown that the prevalence of depression in the elderly was high even in a rural community with an estimate of 14.4% [3]. Hamilton Rating Scale for depression states that key features of depression include weight loss and reduced appetite [4].…”