Screening for depression and its risk factors in geriatric population: A rural community based study

This is a rural community-based study for screening depression and its risk factors in a geriatric population. A proportionate random sample was collected from six villages in Maval Taluka through house-to-house surveys conducted by the authors. A short (15 item) form of the geriatric depression scale was used, along with a semi-structured questionnaire specially designed for the study. On this 15-item scale, 41.1% scored 5 or higher, which suggests likely depression, and 18.9% scored higher than ten, which suggests definite depression. Depression was significantly more prevalent in those who had faced a stressful event in the past two years, in those lacking emotional support from a close confidant and in those suffering some systemic illness or sensory deprivation. The commonest stressor faced was the death of their spouse or child. This was statistically the most significant finding in those depressed (P=0.0007). The need for treatment was perceived by these old people, but often not by their relatives. They could not seek treatment on their own due to restrictions on mobility due to old age, and being in rural areas, where psychiatric treatment facilities are not easily accessible.