Panacea Journal of Medical Sciences

Depression among elderly people in an urban slum of Central India

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Article Type : Original Article

Author Details: Kartik Sudhakar Patil, Meenal V. Kulkarni, Pranita Prashant Dharmadhikari

Volume : 6

Issue : 3

Online ISSN : 2348-7682

Print ISSN : 2249-8176

Article First Page : 128

Article End Page : 133

Abstract

In India 7.5% population is above 60 yrs and about half of them are suffering from some chronic disease. This population is vulnerable to chronic and silent depressive changes which can be enhanced by social neglect, physical and economical dependability, loss of spouses or near ones, increased disease susceptibilities and chronic debilities. A community based Cross-sectional study of 200 elderly people was carried out with help of questionnaire consisting of socio-demography, dependency, substance abuse, physical and psychological morbidity data along with Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Version). Mean age of the study subjects 65.54±5.63 years. 52% population was economically dependent on others. Prevalence of depression was found to be 39.5%. Depression was significantly associated with advancing age, illiteracy, nuclear or three generation family, living away from family. Depression was also found significantly associated with morbidities like ocular disorders, genitourinary tract diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, skin diseases and anorexia. No association was found between addiction and depression.

Keywords: Elderly people, Depression, Geriatric depression scale, Gerontology

Doi No:-10.18231