DEPRESSION AMONG ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING PRIMARY CARE CLINIC IN NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA: PREVALENCE, PATTERN, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Abstract

Background: Depression represents a major international public health problem for both developed and developing countries. It is associated with increased risk of morbidity, suicide, decreased physical, cognitive and social function, and greater self-neglect which in turn is associated with increased mortality. The aim was to investigate the prevalence, pattern and associated factors of depression among the elderly individuals in a primary care clinic in Northwestern Nigeria.

Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based study and 391 elderly participants in a primary care clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital were recruited through systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using pre-tested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, Oslo – 3 social support scale and the GDS- 30 was used to screen for depression. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Test of associations was done using Chi- square test and P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The prevalence of depression among the elderly was found to be (41.2%) and of these respondents who were depressed, (99.4%) of them had mild depression while (0.6%) had severe depression. Marital status, level of education, occupational status, average monthly income, location of residents, social support,(P-value <0.05) were found to be significantly associated with depression in the elderly.

Conclusion: The prevalence of elderly depression was high in primary care with preponderance of mild depression, the study recommends early screening, detection and treatments of depressive disorder in the elderly by primary care physician.