DEPRESSION AMONG GERIATRICS:PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Abstract

Method: 182 participants aged over 60 from an urban area, Ashapur, Raichur were interviewed to assess their psychiatric morbidity and associated factors using geriatric depression scale. Objective: To establish prevalence of depression and associated factors in geriatrics in Ashapur urban area, Raichur Dist, Karnataka., India. Type of study: Cross sectional. Methodology: The cross sectional epidemiological study was conducted in urban slums of Ashapur, Raichur Dist. The study area has a population of 25486 with a geriatric population of 2536.A sample size of 182 was estimated using Random Sampling Technique. Study group: 182 Study area: Ashapur urban area, Raichur Dist, Karnataka. Study period: July17 to October 17. Study tool: Pretested Questionnaire. Analysis: Descriptive statistics and other appropriate statistical studies will be used. Results: This study revealed that 32.4% of individuals were suffering from depression. We conclude that depression in elderly is associated with poor socio economic status, unemployment, disrupted marital status, illiteracy, and substance abuse. Conclusion: By the end of the study we concluded that prevalence of depression in geriatrics is significantly high. It is mainly associated with substance abuse, unemployment, disrupted mental status, illiteracy and poor economic status.