Factors Associated with Geriatric Depression in Rural Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Community Survey
Saurav Chandra Acharya Samadarshi¹, Jeevan Bhatta², Sakda Arj-Ong Vallibhakara³,⁵, Tej Prasad Dulal⁴, Win Khaing³
Affiliation : ¹ Ministry of Social Development, Lumbini Province, Nepal, ² ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailandm³ Faculty of Medicine, BangkokThonburi University, Bangkok, Thailand, ⁴ Provincial Health Training Center, Ministry of Social Development, Bagmati, Nepal, ⁵ Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with depression among the geriatric population in rural Nepal.
Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Thabang Rural Municipality of Rolpa District. A total of 405 elderly persons above the age of 60 years were interviewed. The respondents were administered through the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and sociodemographic questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with geriatric depression.
Results: The prevalence of depression was found to be 68.04%. Sociodemographic characteristics such as age (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.27 to 3.98, p<0.005), gender (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.27 to 3.98, p<0.005), presence of chronic disease (OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.64 to 4.76, p<0.001), income sufficiency (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.69 to 4.68, p<0.001), and health service access (OR 4.72; 95% CI 2.75 to 8.11, p<0.001) were significantly associated with geriatric depression.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that as depression is a significant issue amongst the elderly, standard routine health screening activities should be conducted. The study suggests stakeholders to design strategies that encourage healthy aging in Nepal.
Received 1 May 2022 | Revised 15 June 2022 | Accepted 20 July 2022
DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2022.08.13474
Keywords : Depression; Elderly; Rural Nepal; GDS-15
