Screening for depression among geriatrics in the rural community, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects feeling, the way of thinking, and acting. The quick increment in the elderly population has engendered public concern about the issues associated. Elderly people who have symptoms of depression are at a very high chance for useful incapacity and have an incredible requirement for accurate diagnostic assessment. Aim The paper aims to screen for depression among the geriatric age group in the rural setting, Egypt. Patients and methods Geriatrics aged 60 years and older were the target population of the study. A cross-sectional study was used to include 200 persons living in a cluster area chosen randomly from four clusters of rural area Gharbia governorate, Egypt. An assessment of depression was conducted using a validated Arab version of Geriatric Depression Scale short version. Results In total, 88.5% were suffering from various degrees of depressive symptoms. There were statistical significant associations between the occurrence of depression from one side and smoking habits, income, and absence of persons. The geriatric groups having diseases, older-age group, sleep habitat, living alone, and not received any help were considered as significant predictors for the occurrence of depression among the geriatric age group with an effect of 30.7%. Conclusion Smoking habits, income, absence of persons who introduce help for geriatrics, suffering from renal and hepatic diseases, and disability were considered significant risk factors for depression among geriatrics. Geriatric groups having diseases, older age group, sleep habitat, living alone, and not received any help were considered as significant predictors for the occurrence of depression.