ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 27
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Depression and associated factors among the elderly
patients in a primary care clinic in north-western Nigeria
Dr Harrison Akogwu1, Nicholas Baamlong2, Adebayo Adebisi3, Burka Grema4, Fatima Falaki5,
Rosemary Okoh5, Isah Abdulkadir6
1
Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara, 2Department of Family
Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, 3Department of Psychiatry, Federal Neuropsychiatric
Hospital, Kware, Sokoto, 4Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital,
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Department of Family Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, 6Department of
Family Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina
Background
Depression represents a major international public health problem for both developed and developing
countries. It is associated with increased risk of morbidity, suicide, decreased physical, cognitive and
social function and greater self-neglect, which, in turn, is associated with increased mortality.
Aim
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, pattern and associated factors of depression
among elderly patients in a primary care clinic in north-western Nigeria.
Methodology
This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study that recruited 391 elderly participants in a primary
care clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital through a systematic sampling
technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire,
Oslo-3 social support scale, and the GDS-30 was used to screen for depression. Weight and height
were measured and BMI calculated. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20. A test of associations
was done using a Chi-squared test and logistic regression, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically
significant.
Results
The prevalence of depression among the elderly was found to be 41.2%, and of the respondents
who were depressed, the pattern showed 99.4% of them had mild depression while 0.6% had severe
depression. Following logistic regression, being married, low social support, bereavement in the last
six months, good subjective health status and abnormal BMI were found to be associated factors of
elderly depression in the study.
Conclusion
The prevalence of elderly depression was significantly high with preponderance of mild depression.
The study recommends more studies, early screening, detection and treatments of depressive
disorder in the elderly by primary care physicians in Nigeria.
Key words
depression, GDS, elderly, primary care.
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