The status of depression among the elderly in Baoding and related influencing factors

Objective This study aimed to survey the depression status of the elderly in community of Baoding City and the related influencing factors. Methods A community was chosen randomly from 159 communities in Baoding. 555 subjects above 60 years old were surveyed with the geriatric depression scale short form(GDS-15), the general situation questionnaire, daily life questionnaire and somatic state questionnaire,the survival profile quality(WHOQOL-100) and social support scale for information on their depression status, daily activity ability, quality of life and social support status. Database was set up with Microsoft Excel. SAS software(version 8.2) was used to analyze the data with single factor analysis. Results 53 out of 555 elderly people showed symptoms of depression, with a rate 9.6%. Analysis by non-conditional Logistic regression model showed that ADL impairment,hearing barrier,needing care in living,poor quality of life,social support were independent factors associated with depression.Conclusion Depression of the elderly in Baoding area was mainly associated with their physical condition,social and psychological factors related to the elderly. The psychological and social support should be strengthened to prevent occurrence of depression in the elderly.