Prevalence of Depression and Associated Risk Factors among the Elderly population attending Government Medical College Hospital of North Karnataka- A cross-sectional study

Background: Depression is a significant concern among the elderly population, with adverse effects on physical, cognitive, functional and social wellbeing. Despite being a major public health issue, depression in elderly often goes unnoticed and untreated. Hence, this study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of depression and investigate the potential risk factors associated with depression among individuals aged above 60 years. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care hospital, BIMS, Belagavi. A total of 400 study participants were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire which consisted of socio-demographic profile and The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scale. GDS, a validated self-report assessment tool was used to assess depression. Statistical analysis, including chi-square test was used to determine association between depression and socio-demographic risk factors. Results: A total of 400 geriatric subjects participated in our study. Majority of them were females (54.5%) and from rural area (64.5%). The overall prevalence of depression was found to be 21.25%. Depression was more prevalent among females, rural residents, individuals staying alone or widowed. Illiteracy and presence of chronic disease were associated with higher rates of depression. Significant associations were found between depression and socio-demographic variables like gender, residence, marital status, literacy and presence of chronic illness. Conclusion: This study highlights high prevalence of depression among geriatric population with various socio-demographic factors playing a role in its occurrence. Early recognition and appropriate interventions for depression in the elderly are crucial to prevent adverse consequences and improve overall quality of life.