Prevalence Of Depression Among The Inmates Of Old Age Homes In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Survey

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the commonest psychiatric morbidities reported in older adults. OBJECTIVES: Primary objective: To assess the prevalence of depression among older adults aged 60 years or above living in the Old Age Homes (OAHs) of Thiruvananthapuram district. Secondary objective: To assess the socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for depression in this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among the inmates of OAHs aged 60 years or above in Thiruvananthapuram, after obtaining approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee. Stratified random sampling was done to select 28 OAHs based on urban, semi-urban and rural location and 170 subjects were recruited. Depression was assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale. Socio-demographic and other clinical variables were also studied. RESULTS: 23.5% (95% CI=17.13-29.87) of the sample were found to have depression. Majority of the sample was aged 60-69 years, were females, widowed, belonged to lower socio-economic status and had received no formal education. On univariate analysis, age <70 years, duration of stay in OAH for < 1year, history of psychiatric illness and family history of psychiatric illness were found to be significant risk factors. On logistic regression, family history of psychiatric illness [adjusted OR (aOR)=35.16, 95% CI=8.06-153.36] and perceived stress (aOR=9.46, 95% CI=2.44-36.62) were found to be significant risk factors for depression, after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is seen in almost 25% of older adults residing in OAHs. Family history of psychiatric illness and perceived stress were identified as significant risk factors.