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Psychiatric morbidity among elderly in Chandigarh
Vikas Bhatia1, H M Swami, Sonia Puri
1Dept. of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, B Block, Sector 32-A, Chandigarh 160030, India. drbhatiav@yahoo.com
East African Journal of Public Health
|March 19, 2011
Summary
Psychiatric morbidity is highly prevalent in elderly individuals aged 65+, with somatic and depression symptoms being most common. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive mental health care programs for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Community health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mental health issues in the elderly population are a growing concern.
- Understanding the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among individuals aged 65 and above in Chandigarh, India.
Main Methods:
- A community-based study involving house-to-house visits.
- Stratified random sampling of households in urban and rural Chandigarh.
- Assessment of psychiatric morbidity using the R Kellner & B Shaffield (1979) scale in 362 elderly participants.
Main Results:
- All participants exhibited at least one symptom of psychiatric morbidity.
- Somatic (72.1%) and depression (68.2%) symptoms were most common, followed by anxiety and cognitive issues.
- Prevalence varied by gender, with females more affected by anxiety, depression, somatic, and cognitive symptoms, and males by anger-hostility.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in the elderly population of Chandigarh necessitates the development of integrated mental health care services.
- Early detection and management of psychiatric morbidity are essential for improving the quality of life for older adults.
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