Fulltext

The prevalence of depression among the elderly in Sepang, Selangor

Sherina MS 1 , Rampal L 2 , Mustaqim A 3

Affiliations 

  • 1 Mohd Sidik Sherina, MMed. Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor
  • 2 L Rampal, PhD. Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor
  • 3 A Mustaqim, BSc. Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor
Med J Malaysia, 2004 Mar;59(1):45-9.
PMID: 15535335 MyJurnal

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression among the elderly and to identify its associated factors.
Methods: A cross sectional study design was used. Stratified proportionate cluster sampling method was used to select the respondents. A 30 item Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire was used as a screening instrument.
Results: 7.6% of the elderly were found to have depression. Only employment status was found to be significantly associated with depression.
Discussion: The prevalence of depression in the elderly was 7.6%. Primary Care providers need to be vigilant when treating elderly patients as depression is commonly found in this age group .
Study site: Nine villages in Mukim Sepang, Sepang District, Selangor, Malaysia
Device, Questionnaire & Scale: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30)

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications