Volume: 1 Issue: 1
Year: 2013, Page: 11-15,
Background: The community-based mental health studies in India have estimated the prevalence of depressive disorders among elderly population between 13% and 25%. Despite of the widespread belief that depression in elderly in India is less compared with west by virtue of family structure and socio-cultural factors, studies have shown a reverse trend. Female gender, poor health status, prior depression, poor self-perceived health are some of the significant risk factors for depression among the elderly as identified by meta- analysis. Hence the present study aims to find out the prevalence of depression and associated risk factors among elderly in rural area.
Material and Methods: Across sectional study was conducted in rural health training center, Vutoor, Karimnagar during November- December 2012. A semi-structured questionnaire assessing the sociodemographic characteristics and various risk factors for depression was administered to 190 participants. Depression among the elderly was assessed by patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Statistical measures obtained were proportions, mean, standard deviation and multiple linear regression.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 65.62 ± 5.47 with the age range of 60 to 89 years. Males accounted for 121 (63.7%) of the total sample and 135 (71.1 %) belonged to the lower socioeconomic class. Of the total sample 30 (15.8%) met the criteria for major depression and 55 (28.9%) met the criteria for minor depression. In the context of the severity of depression 34 (17.9%) scored for moderate depression, 27 (14.2%) for moderately severe depression and 2 (1.1%) for severe depression. Among the various risk factors, socioeconomic status (p = 0.018), past history of depression (p = 0.019), perceived poor health status (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with depression.
Conclusion: High prevalence of depression observed among the studied population warrants an immediate attention. Perceived poor health status and past history of depression are significant risk factors for depression. There is a need of screening and effective intervention strategies for early detection and treatment among this vulnerable population.
Keywords: Depression, Elderly population, Risk Factors
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Bodhare TN, Kaushal V, Venkatesh K, Anil KumarM. Prevalence and risk factors of depression among elderly population in a rural area. Perspectives in medical research 2013; 1: 11-15