Depression and its Associated Factors among Older People Residing in Household Level of Chitwan District, Nepal

Background: Worldwide, with rapidly growing elderly population, depression is becoming major public health problem. This study was aimed to find the depression and its associated factors among older people. Method: Community based cross sectional study was conducted in Chitwan District. Multi stage sampling technique was used. Out of 7, three Municipabilities were selected by using simple random sampling method. Wards from each selected Municipabilities were taken by using simple random sampling method. Participants from each selected ward were taken conveniently. Sample size of the study was 318. Data were collected through face to face interview using semi-structured questionnaire. For assessing the depression, standard and scientific tool (Geriatric depression scale-15) was applied. Ethical approval obtained from Institutional Review Committee of Chitwan Medical College (Ref: CMC-l RCl07 6107 7 – 134). Data collection was done from December 16, 2020 to February 16, 2021. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics like frequency, percentage, chi-square and linear regression. Results: Out of total 318 selected older participants, nearly half (49.4%) had depression. Among total participants, 33 (10.38%), 18 (5.6%) and 106 (33.3%) had mild, moderate and severe depression respectively. Ethnicity (p=0.004), Marital status (p<0.001), education status (p=0.001), occupation before 60 years of age (p=0.001), individual income (p=0.001), living arrangement (p=0.001), family member behavior (p=0.001), feeling of loneliness (p=0.001) and functional capacity (p<0.001) are found to be associated with depression. Conclusion: Very high number of people suffered from depression and age, education, marital status, individual income, occupation before 60 years of age has profound relationship with depression.