Prevalence of Depression Among Elderly Patients Attending Primary Health Care Center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah 2022

Abstract

The prevalence of depression is higher among geriatric population compared to general population. Depression is associated with several adverse health outcomes including reduced quality of life, functional decline, increased health cost and increased mortality . Depression Disorder  is considered one of the challenging issues to diagnose in elderly due to its atypical presentation in this particular group of age. This issue can be easily missed or under diagnosed. Ignoring this issue can lead to unfortunate consequences, although geriatric depression is widespread in primary health care (PHC), local studies on the prevalence of depression in elderly PHC patients appear to be scarce, Change in mood or sadness is one of the normal phases in human being emotions. However, those feelings must be distinguished from depression Disorders or in another medical term known as Clinical Depression. Clinical Depression is known to be one of the commonest mood disorders worldwide. Psychiatrists defined based on certain criteria therefore it can’t be missed with normal emotions, besides, limited studies were found regarding the prevalence of depression and the associated factors in elderlies globally and locally, depression is a very prevalent health problem affecting geriatric patients attending primary healthcare centers .

Aim of the study: To assessment of the prevalence of Depression among elderly patients attending primary health care center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, 2022

 Method: cross sectional study conducted at outpatient clinics who registered in the chronic disease clinic attended primary health care center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, 2022, sample population consists number of elderly patients attending in primary health care center. Our total participants were (345 ).

 Results: show 345 participants, and the majority age was(69.0%) in (60-70)years, while the age(70-80)were(20.9%). The majority of them were male(65.2%), while female(34.8%). the most of the participants was widow(58.8%) while married(41.2%), have no education Illiterate(43.2%) while primary education were(30.1), also show that Of the(62.3%) participants have negative depression , 130(37.7%) have positive depression,  and the data ranged from(0to15)by mean+ SD (5.736±2.828).

Conclusion: previse study reported high prevalence of depression among elderly participants receiving care at Primary Health Care Centers, depression is a very prevalent health problem affecting geriatric patients attending primary healthcare centers . However, most of cases are of mild or moderate severity.