A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS DEPRESSON AMONG GERIATRIC AGE GROUP AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Abstract
Introduction:
Depression is affecting 322 million people globally. India is catering 18% of the global estimate for depression1 depression. India is developing country which is witnessing significant changes like globalization, urbanization, migration and modernization hence depression is estimated to have rising trend in the coming future.
Objectives:
- To study the prevalence of depression in the geriatric age group.
- To assess association of socio-demographic factors with depression.
- To assess association of physical and social health with depression
Material and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two old age home situated in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh (Kalyan kunj old age home,Mother Teresa old age home) with the approval of institutional ethical committee. The study was conducted during the period of April 2017 to December 2017 among all the elderly residing in the old age home. All the resident of old age home above 60 years who gave consent for the study were included. Data was collected using WHO’s patient health questionnaire 9(PHQ-9).
Results: The overall prevalence of depression in this study was found to be 54%.In our study 75% of the elderly male participants were having depression. The prevalence of depression was found to increase with increasing age. In our study depression was significantly more among physically unfit participants and the participants who were socially unhealthy. There was statistically significant difference across physical health and social health with depression (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Prevalence of depression was high among elderly population residing in old age home in Bilaspur. Physical health and social wellbeing was significantly associated with the depression in elderly. It is necessary to create awareness among society for early diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords: Depression, Elderly, geriatric depression
