Factors Associated with Elderly Depression among Rural Bangladeshi Individuals

Abstract

Background: Depression is a chronic disorder, which often remains undiagnosed. There is a gross lack of evidence-based information about depressive illnesses among adult individuals from rural Bangladesh. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the factors that are associated with depressive illness but remain undiagnosed among rural healthy adult individuals. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Demographic Surveillance System area of rural Mirzapur sub-district, during April to September 2010. A total of 130 apparently healthy individuals [no history of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hepatic (serum alanine transaminase; ALT) or renal (serum creatinine) dysfunction; diabetic mellitus (fasting blood sugar)] aged 40 years and above were randomly selected from the DSS database. Level of depression was assessed using 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: Forty-two percent of the healthy participants were found to have mild depression, 17% were severely depressed. In multivariate analysis, females had a 2.79 [95% CI-0.94-8.26] times higher risk for depression compared to males. Healthy elderly individuals (≥60 years) had a 2.79 [0.94-8.33] times higher risk for depression compared to their middle-aged counterparts (40-59 years). Furthermore, individuals who consumed a vegetable-based diet were at 2.47 [0.85-7.15] times higher risk for depression; individuals with low monthly income were at 2.57 [0.94-7.01] times higher, and those with poor wealth index were 1.55 [1.07-2.25] times more likely to suffer from depression compared to their counterparts after adjusting for vitamin B12, folic acid, ALT, and blood hemoglobin. Conclusion: Healthy elderly individuals from rural Bangladesh were more depressed than middle-aged adults; and females with poor socioeconomic status were at higher risk for depression than males.

Relationship between Religiosity and Depression of Older Persons in Bangladesh

“…3 In Bangladesh, older persons (those aged 60 or above) had a 2.79 times higher risk of depression than middle-aged persons (those aged 40-59). 4 Older persons show a greater preference for religious activities than younger people. Religiosity is defined as perceptions of religious beliefs, worship, and prayer.…”

Depression of Older Persons in Rural Bangladesh

“…All of these factors may contribute to older persons' depression. A previous study [7], conducted in a central district near the capital city, found that female older persons with low monthly incomes were at a higher risk of depression than wealthy or high-income, middle-aged males. However, these results may not be generalizable to other districts of Bangladesh due to geographic, demographic and socioeconomic differences.…”

“…Depression is a serious public health problem in both developed and developing countries. In Bangladesh, a study found that older persons had a 2.79 times higher risk of depression that then middle-aged (40-59 years) [7]. It is important to investigate older person's depression.…”

Relationship Between Sleep Problems and Depression of Older Persons in Bangladesh

“…Depression in old age can create many problems, including carrying out activities of daily living; increased morbidity and suicide [11]; decreased physical, cognitive and social functioning; and greater self-neglect [12]. In Bangladesh, older persons (aged 60 or above) had a 2.79 times higher risk of depression compared to middle-aged persons (aged 40-59) [13]. To reiterate, studies [6,13] have indicated that older persons in Bangladesh were suffering from sleep problems and depression.…”

“…In Bangladesh, older persons (aged 60 or above) had a 2.79 times higher risk of depression compared to middle-aged persons (aged 40-59) [13]. To reiterate, studies [6,13] have indicated that older persons in Bangladesh were suffering from sleep problems and depression. However, their sleep problems were not measured using instruments.…”