Publication:

Study among geriatric people residing in urban and rural area and associated factor with depression in Nepal

Background Depression is a common and major public health problem among geriatric people, but it is not a normal part of aging. It is not just a low mood or feeling sad, but a serious condition that needs treatment and has serious effects on physical as well as mental health. It is one of the hidden problems of the geriatric people.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 elderly people from Kaski district of Nepal using geriatric depression scale to assess the level of depression. Wards of metropolitan was randomly selected and represented as urban area and ward of rural municipality were randomly selected and considered as rural areas. Data were collected by face-to-face interview among geriatric people. Data were analyzed by SPSS v.16 version. The appropriate statistical tests were applied based on the nature of the data, setting the level of significance at p<0.05.

Results Out of total 196 study participants 101 were from urban area and 95 from rural area. The overall prevalence of depression was 55.1%. In this study geriatric depression was significantly associated with: spouse status, living arrangement, satisfaction with living condition, family support, family care, abuse, relationship with son, relationship with daughter in law, work, discrimination, social isolation and loneliness and health problems.

Conclusions More than half of the elderly population had developed depressive symptoms. Immediate addressing of geriatric depression by providing health services, counseling and harmonious relationship among geriatric people and family members especially their son and daughter in law should be created by providing social support and counseling to family members.