Introduction
The elderly are an important vulnerable group because of their increasing proportions among populations over the world. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression among elderly individuals residing at the social care home residence in Riyadh and to investigate some of the associated sociodemographic factors in this group.
Methodology
The study was accomplished using a cross-sectional survey. A structured interview questionnaire was designed of 2 parts to collect information from participants. The first part inquired about sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, and the second part inquired about depression. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess depression.
Results
The study included 100 residents of Riyadh social care home, 64 males and 36 females, 55.0% of the residents were in the 60-64 years age group with a mean of 67 years (Standard Deviation SD ± 8.2). 49.0% had a duration of stay at the home between one to five years (mean 9.7, SD ± 9), 75.0% of residents were illiterate, and only 3.0% were married. 50 (54.4%) had lived with relatives and 21(22.8% ) had owned their own house. 53.3% reported last monthly income between 3000-6000 S.R.16.0% reported a history of death of a close family member. The majority of residents (78.0%) received regular visits and most of them 80.8% had a visit once per month and only 9.0% had a visit once per week. 61.6% had received visits from one to six months earlier. The GDS revealed 12 residents as normal (0-9), 44 mild (10-19) and 44 (20-30) as severe depression. Among age group 60-64 years, out of 55 there were 24 (43.6%) mildly depressed, and 24 (43.6%) severely depressed residents, whereas in the age group 65-75 years, out of 31 there were 11 (35.5%) mildly depressed, and 16 (51.6%) severely depressed. Also among the age group 76-99 years, out of 14 there were 9 (64.3%) mildly depressed, and 4 (28.6%) severely depressed, and there was no statistically significant association between GDS and age group among elderly residents (P-value=0.5). Among male, out of 64 there were 31 (48.4%) mildly depressed, and 25 (39.1%) severely depressed residents, whereas among female, out of 36 there were 9 (64.3%) mildly depressed, and 4 (28.6%) severely depressed residents and there was no statistically significant association between GDS and gender among elderly residents (P-value=0.4). Among those who stayed 1-5 years, out of 49 there were 21 (42.9%) mildly depressed, and 21 (42.9%) severely depressed residents, whereas among those who stayed 6-10 years, out of 17 there were 7 (41.2%) mildly depressed, and 9 (52.9%) severely depressed residents. Also among those who stayed more than10 years, out of 34 there were 16 (47.1%) mildly depressed, and 14(41.1%) severely depressed residents and there was no statistically significant association between GDS and the duration of the stay among elderly residents (P-value=1.2). The most significant factor that influenced depression was death of a close family member, where 12.5% were mildly depressed, and 50.0% were severely depressed (P-value=0.0006). Other factors included previous place of residence, where among those who lived in the city 40.2% were mildly depressed, and 48.8% were severely depressed, with borderline significant association between depression score and previous place of residence (P-value=0.08). Monthly visits also played a role, such that those who were visited once per month (44.5%) were mildly depressed, and 47.6% were severely depressed, with borderline significant association between depression score and the number of visits (P-value=0.09).
Conclusion
Depression is one of the common undiagnosed health problems which affect most of the elderly. Many factors play alone to lead to this problem. In this study the factors that influenced depression were the previous place of residency with statistically borderline significant association between depression score and the previous place of residency, the death of a close family member play major role as a cause of severe depression for 50.0% residents, the monthly visits, among those who were visited once per month 44.5% were mildly depressed, and 47.6% were severely depressed and statistically borderline significant association between depression score and the number of visits. This group of people need more care and more studies are required to identify the extent of the problem and the real factors which cause depression on different levels.