Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: July | Volume: 9 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 37-42
A Comparative Study of Depression (BDI) Among the Elderly Population Living in Community and Old Age Home in Desert Areas of Rajasthan
Ms. Khushboo Vyas1, Dr. Madhu B. Singh2, Sh. Pankaj Kumar3, Dr. Harish Aggarwal4
1Research Scholar, ICMR Desert Medicine Research Centre, New Pali Road, Jodhpur - 342 005, Rajasthan
2Scientist G, ICMR Desert Medicine Research Centre, Head, Nutritional Functional Group, New Pali Road, Jodhpur - 342 005, Rajasthan
3TO, Desert Medicine Research Centre (ICMR), New Pali Road, Jodhpur - 342 005, Rajasthan
4Assistant Professor, SN Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan- 342003, India
Corresponding Author: Ms. Khushboo Vyas
ABSTRACT
Aim: Present study aimed to assess and compare the depression among geriatric population residing in Community and Old age Homes and its association Socio-demographic parameters.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 408 elderly population living in Community (250) and Old age Homes (158) were examined for Socio-demographic parameters and Beck‘s Depression Inventory (II) scale.
Result: The percentage of elderly living in Old age Homes observed to be significantly high (p<0.05) in Beck‘s Depression Scale (82.3% in Old Age Homes) in comparison to Community (44.0%). The study revealed that elderly population in higher age group i.e. 70 years and above suffered more from depression (78.8%) in comparison to 60-70 years age (65.2%). The distribution of elderly population according to marital status revealed that the percentage of elderly in ‘Normal’ were significantly higher in married (51.2%) elderly population living in Community than married elderly belonging in Old Age Homes (7.6%). The distribution of elderly population according to Education revealed that the percentage of elderly in ‘Normal’ were significantly higher in Literate elderly population living in Community (47.2%) than Literate in Old Age Homes (15.8%).
Conclusion: Depression observed higher in Old age Homes in comparison to elderly living in Community. Education showed a negative association with depression & is found to be positively associated with increase aged. Thus there is strong need of creating awareness and education regarding the general health care services.
Key words: Elderly; Beck’s Depression Inventory; Geriatric