Community-based cross-sectional study to determine depression among elderly persons residing in urban area of north Karnataka

2016-06-06T08-47-40Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Kanishk Deep Sharma, Deepti M Kadeangadi, Maheshwar DM Mallapur.
Background: Depression is one of the most common treatable illnesses affecting individuals after the age of 60 years. In India, 39.04% of elderly persons are estimated to experience depression, whose prevalence is higher in slum areas and old age homes. Objective: To assess the prevalence of depression among elderly persons residing in urban households and various factors contributing to it. Materials and Methods: It is a community-based cross-sectional study where urban households of Ashok Nagar and Ram Nagar areas of Belagavi city, Karnataka, India, were selected randomly. A total of 150 elderly persons were interviewed using pretested and predesigned questionnaire from GDS-30. Data were analyzed using percentages and χ2-test. Result: The prevalence of depression in elderly persons was 37.1%; among these, 24.7% were mildly depressed and 9.3% severely depressed. Depression was more prevalent in those who were not physically active (46%) than those who were active (54%) (χ2 = 6.902, p = 0.032). About 75.3% of illiterates were found to be depressed than literate ones (24.7%) (χ2 = 9.391, p = 0.009). Conclusion: Four of ten individuals suffered from depression after 60 years of age. Depression was seen higher in illiterates and individuals leading sedentary lifestyle and was found to be statistically significant.


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