Publication:

A community based cross-sectional study on psychosocial status among elderly population of rural field practice area of a tertiary health care centre of Maharashtra

Background Psychological and social factors form an integral part in the health and wellbeing of elderly.  The elderly who will constitute 10% of the Indian population by 2025 face problems such as deteriorating healthcare status, loneliness, and economic constraints among others. All these factors together may affect the psychosocial status of the elderly and their health‑seeking behaviour. With this background, the current study tried to evaluate the psychosocial status among elderly patients.

Methods The present community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 men and women of aged above 60 in rural healthcare centre of a tertiary health centre of Maharashtra. A semi‑structured interview schedule was administered by a trained medical professional after taking informed consent over a period 6 months from January to June 2023.

Results Depression was found significantly higher in age group above 75 years (66.7%), Of which majority are female (57.9%). The proportion of Hindu suffering from depression was 55.5% as compared to other religions. The depression was found significantly higher among elderly population those who are illiterate and having education below secondary level and of lower socioeconomic status.

Conclusions In present study, elderly above 75 years, female gender, illiteracy and low SES were found significant factor for poor psychological status. Depression was higher among those elderly population whose advise was not honored and whose living arrangement was alone.