Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, multi-morbid conditions and depressive symptoms among Nepalese older adults

Abstract

Background Depressive symptoms (DS) are a well-recognized public health problem across the world. There is limited evidence with regard to DS and its associates, such as socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and chronic conditions in low-income countries like Nepal. In this study, we aimed to assess the level of DS and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and chronic disease conditions among community dwelling older people in Nepal. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 794 older adults aged 60 or above residing in the rural setting of the Sunsari and Morang districts of eastern Nepal between January and April 2018. Multi-stage cluster sampling was adopted to select the study participants. Data included socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, self-reported chronic disease conditions and the Geriatric depression scale. Determinants of DS were estimated through the generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach by considering exchangeable correlation structure among clusters. Results In our study samples, nearly 55.8% of the older adults were found to be suffering from DS. We found a significant association between DS and being female (aOR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.89-2.09), Buddhism (aOR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.58-2.42), Dalits (aOR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.19-5.65), unemployed, low family income (aOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.07-2.92), smokers (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.01-2.20) and having chronic multi-morbid conditions (aOR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.09-2.55). Conclusions The prevalence of DS was high among community-dwelling older adults in eastern Nepal. Our findings suggest the need for mental health prevention and management programs targeting the older population in rural Nepal.

Functional status and its associated factors among community-dwelling older adults in rural Nepal: findings from a cross-sectional study

“…The noted increased odds of poor functioning among those reporting depressive symptoms are also supported by previous studies that indicate depressive symptoms impair functional capacity to perform services such as shopping, preparing meals, moving within the community, and taking medications on time [45,46]. Potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between depressive symptoms and development of functional disability includes enhanced decline of physical functioning over time due to prolonged presence of certain somatic depressive symptoms [47], amplified symptom burden and complications of chronic medical conditions [48], negative health behaviors (such as physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking [49], and non-compliance to various treatment regimens [49]; all of which facilitate the onset of functional disability among the older population.…”

Linkage of Depression with Elder Abuse among Institutionalized Older Persons in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

“…A study conducted in Nepal showed that elderly who had chronic diseases were two times more likely to suffer from depression [32]. Another Nepal-based study showed that elderly who had multiple chronic diseases were 1.67 times more likely to suffer from depression than their counterparts (AOR: 1.67, 95% CI 1.09-2.55, p value: 0.018) [33]. A national survey in Sri Lanka showed that elderly who had chronic diseases were more likely to develop depression symptoms (AOR: 1.11, 95% CI 0.69-1.76) [34].…”

Changes in Tobacco Use Patterns during COVID-19 and Their Correlates among Older Adults in Bangladesh

“…A validated semi-structured questionnaire in the Bengali language, in which most of the questions were adopted from previous studies, was used to collect the information [22][23][24]. The Bengali version of the tool was piloted among a small sample (n = 10) of older adults to refine the language in the final version.…”