Prevalence of geriatric depression in a community sample in Ghana: Analysis of associated risk and protective factors |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Post-graduate Program in Adult Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil;2. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Research Group, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil;3. Medical Sciences Faculty of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil;1. The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), 36 Mingxin Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou 510370, China;2. School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China;3. School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China;4. Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China;1. Statistics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh;2. Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh;3. Department of Management, Islamic University, Kustia, 7003, Bangladesh;4. Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh;5. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Victoria, 3125, Australia |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundAgeing comes with its own associated physical and psychosocial challenges. Depression is reported as one of the most prevalent psychopathology found among elderly people. However, there is dearth of literature in Ghana regarding mental health and its associated risk and protective factors among Ghanaians who are aged 65years and above. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with depression among the aged in Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was employed and a total of 262 elderly people (65+years) were sampled. The Geriatric Depression Scale, Brief COPE and demographic questionnaires were administered to the participants.ResultsThere was 37.8% prevalence of depression among the participants. Socio-demographic characteristics such as religion, living status and presence of chronic illness independently predicted depression among the participants. The use of religion, acceptance and active coping were the most commonly reported coping strategies among the participants while denial, behavioural disengagement and substance use were the least used coping strategies among the participants. The use of active coping predicted decreased depression levels whereas the use of behavioural disengagement and self-blame significantly predicted increased depression levels among the participants.ConclusionsDepression is a major challenge among the aged in this study and therefore, mental health screening should form part of the routine health screening practices for the elderly. The findings call for interventions aimed at promoting healthy ageing among the elderly in Ghana. |
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| Keywords: | Depression Coping strategies Elderly Ghana |
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