A Cross-sectional Study on Prevalence and Determinants of Insomnia and Depression among Geriatric Population in Rural Coimbatore

Abstract

Introduction: Aging is a natural phenomenon. Due to improved health-care facilities, the population of the elderly is increasing rapidly all over the world. Along with chronic morbidities, depression and insomnia are most commonly seen in elderly people, which might affect their quality of life. This study is done to identify the prevalence of depression, insomnia, and the factors associated among the study participants. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study done among 350 elderly participants in a rural area of Coimbatore district. A multistage sampling method was used to select the study participants. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index, data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Among the study participants, 38.3% of them had mild-to-moderate depression and 7.4% of them had severe depression. Diabetes, death of a family member, people living alone, elderly people having conflicts in the family, and debts have statistically a significant association with depression. Similarly, 23.4% have subthreshold insomnia, 12.9% with clinical insomnia, and 8.3% of the study participants with severe insomnia. Factors associated with insomnia were conflicts in the family, debts, musculoskeletal disorders, and respiratory problems. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant association between depression and insomnia. Conclusion: The prevalence of insomnia and depression is high among the elderly. The factors associated with insomnia and depression were found to be health-related problems, economic causes, and social causes.