Abstract
Providing elderly mental healthcare in Myanmar is challenging due to the growing elderly population and limited health resources. To understand common mental health problems among Myanmar elderly, this study explored the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among the elderly in the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 655 elderly by face-to-face interviews with a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 39.4% (33.5% for males and 42.4% for females) and 35.6% (33.0% for males and 36.9% for females), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio of having anxiety was significant for having low education level, having comorbidity, having BMI < 21.3, poor dental health, no social participation, and having no one to consult regarding personal problems, while that of having depression was significant for having comorbidity, having BMI < 21.3, poor vision, and having no one to consult regarding personal problems. The reported prevalence of anxiety and depression indicate the demand for mental healthcare services among Myanmar elderly. Myanmar needs to improve its elderly care, mental healthcare, and social security system to reflect the actual needs of its increasing elderly population. Screening for anxiety and depression among elderly with comorbidities should be promoted. Raising community awareness of mental health, encouraging social participation, and supportive counselling are also essential in combating anxiety and depression among Myanmar elderly.
Highlights
Together with the rising elderly population, mental healthcare among the elderly has become a challenge for every nation as it can severely burden the health system, social security system, and economy both globally and nationally, as well as burden an individual’s well-being[1,3,4]
4.0% of the elderly population worldwide suffered from anxiety disorders[1], contributing 14.6% of disabilityadjusted life years (DALYs) caused by mental and substance use disorders[4], depression and anxiety among the elderly were unnoticed by the individuals themselves and were underdiagnosed by healthcare professionals due to the misconception that these are normal parts of aging[1,5]
For a better understanding of elderly mental health problems, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among the elderly in the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar
Summary
Together with the rising elderly population, mental healthcare among the elderly has become a challenge for every nation as it can severely burden the health system, social security system, and economy both globally and nationally, as well as burden an individual’s well-being[1,3,4]. 4.0% of the elderly population worldwide suffered from anxiety disorders[1], contributing 14.6% of DALYs caused by mental and substance use disorders[4], depression and anxiety among the elderly were unnoticed by the individuals themselves and were underdiagnosed by healthcare professionals due to the misconception that these are normal parts of aging[1,5]. It could negatively aggravate several aspects at the individual, household, national, and international level[3,4,5,6,7,8]. For a better understanding of elderly mental health problems, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among the elderly in the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar
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