An epidemiological study of depression among geriatric population in Mehrauli area of South Delhi

Ageing is a natural phenomenon with challenges mainly in the health aspect. It is a major concern for policymakers all around the world. Over 20% of geriatric adults have mental and neurological disorders, causing 6.6% of all disability adjusted life years, with depression being most common. The field of gero-psychiatry lacks comprehensive studies, with existing research often focusing on hospitalized or primary care patients rather than community-based samples. Aim and Objective: To estimate the prevalence of depression among the geriatric population in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi and to study the various factors associated with depression.

This was a community-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi from November 2022 to February 2024. About 338 study participants were interviewed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30).

The overall prevalence of depression was 51.2% with mild 34.6% and severe depression 16.6%. Age group, gender, marital status, literacy status, type of family, socioeconomic status, presence of chronic illness, and presence of functional impairment in activities of daily living were significantly associated with the presence of depression among study participants (P < 0.05).

The prevalence of depression in the urban elderly population was high (51.2%). By identifying risk factors for depression among the geriatric population and screening them on time, we can reduce the severity and burden of the disease to a greater extent.