Factors Associated with Depression among Elderly Living in Old Age Homes in Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

Introduction: The elderly people not only face physical problems as they are age, they also experience mental health related problems. The main objective of the study was to identify the level of depression and the factors associated with them among elderly living in old age homes in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive analytical study design was used among 173 respondents who were selected by purposive sampling method. Interview was carried out using socio-demographic and other variables related tool, the partially adopted coping checklist and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The data analysis was done by using Epidata and SPSS software version 16. Chi-square test and odds ratio were calculated. Results: This study revealed that 126 (72.8%) respondents had depression. Out of them, according to GDS, 98 (56.6%) and 28 (16.2%) respondents had mild and severe depression respectively. Among 45 male respondents, 28 (62.2%) had depression as compared to 98 (76.6%) out of 128 female respondents. The respondents who had chronic physical health problems; different types of worries like financial security, lack of social relation, lack of favorite activities, fear of future and dissatisfaction with environment of the elderly homes, feeling of stress and even those respondents who used coping strategies like self blame were found to have depression. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be suggested that new coping strategies as well as mind diversional activities should be sought for preventing depression among elderly living in old age homes.