Abstract

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. The present study was conducted to assess depression in elderly. Materials & Methods: 140 adult population of both genders were subjected to Geriatric depression scale- 30 (GDS-30) to screen the depression in study subjects. A pre-tested and semi- structured questionnaire was used to study socio-demographic profile, chronic morbidity, substance abuse, physical activity, living arrangement and other factors. Results: Out of 140 subjects, males were 65 and females were 75. With depression and without depression married and unmarried were 40 and 35, unmarried were 32 and 20 and widow/separated were 8 and 5 respectively. SES was upper in 10 and 20, middle in 30 and 10, lower in 40 and 30. Sleep problems were presentin 50 and 10 and absent in 30and 50. Physical activity was present in 25 and 45 and absent on 55 and 15. Family type was joint in 35 and 40 and nuclear in 45 and 20. Occupation was employed in 38 and 33 and unemployed in 42 and 27 respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: There was high prevalence of depression among elderly. Most of subjects with depression had joint family, low SES, unemployment, sleep problem and inadequate physical activity.

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