Prevalence and associated factors influencing depression in older adults living in rural Thailand: A cross‐sectional study

• DOI: 10.1111/ggi.13804
• Publication Date: 2019-11-01T05:29:16Z
• Authors: Sakarn Charoensak...; Sirawich Usawachoke; Worrawit Kongbangpor; Phatklao Thanavirun; Apaporn Mitsiriswat; Onnicha Pinijnai; Sittarat Kaensingh; Napat Chaiyakham; Chatchaya Chamnan...; Nichada Ninnakala; Parit Hiri‐o‐Tappa; Veeravit Ponginsee; Veeraya Atichatpo...; Eng‐Orn Asawathep...; Charat Thongprayoon; Michael A Mao; Wisit Cheungpasit...; Narittaya Varothai; Wisit Kaewput
• Keywords: Aged, 80 and over; Male; Rural Population; Depression; Smoking; 1. No poverty; Middle Aged; Thailand; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Literacy; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Humans; Female; Family Relations; Aged

AimDepression is a major disease burden in Thailand. In rural areas, young adults will leave home to work in cities, and older adults are left behind. Loneliness and comorbidities can lead to depression in older adults. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors for geriatric depression.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was carried out. Questionnaires including the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale and family relationship were obtained by healthcare professions by face‐to‐face interviews of 584 older people aged ≥60 years in Ban Nayao community, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand. Geriatric depression can be defined as depressive syndromes that arise in adults aged ≥60 years. We excluded those who had visual or auditory disabilities or did not pass the Thai Mini‐Mental Status Examination. The prevalence and associated factors for geriatric depression were obtained. Associated factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.ResultsA total of 433 older people were eligible. The prevalence of geriatric depression was 18.5%. Of the participants, 54.1% lived in an imbalanced family type. Multivariate analysis showed the significance for female sex (adjusted OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.54–7.49, P = 0.01), illiteracy (adjusted OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.19–6.17, P‐value 0.04), current smoker (adjusted OR 4.25, 95% CI 2.12–10.18, P = 0.009) and imbalanced family type (low attachment, low cooperation and poor alignment between each member; adjusted OR 4.52, 95% CI 2.14–7.86, P < 0.001) as risk factors for depression.ConclusionsThe prevalence of geriatric depression in rural Thailand is high. Imbalanced family type is an important risk factor for geriatric depression in the rural community. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1248–1253.