Prevalence and Determinants of Depression among Elderly Patients Attending the Primary Health Care Center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in Saudi Arabia During the Spread of the Corona Virus for the Year 2022

Abstract

Background:

   The COVID 19 pandemic is associated with mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression at multiple levels and has recently been postulated to be linked to the long COVID syndrome. The COVID-19 pandemic has been relentless, with a recent surge of cases and deaths in the worldwide pandemic. Depression have been detected to have increased rates both in the elderly patients attending the primary health care center and individuals infected by COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on daily activities due to restrictions in terms of social distancing because of the elevated rate of contagion and mortality. Many sectors have been affected, worldwide. The world health organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic on 11th March 2020. Depression is an important issue that healthcare professionals have to look after. Much research confirms a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among elderly patients.

Aim of the study: To assessment Prevalence and determinants of depression among elderly patients attending the primary health care center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in Saudi Arabia during the spread of the Corona virus for the year 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 (200).

Results: the majority age were (48.0%) in (60-70) years, the majority of them were male (62.0%), most of the participants were widow(55.0%), regarding the  education level the most of participant Illiterate were (44.0%) regarding Clinical variables the majority of participants have Chronic diseases were(89.0%)

Conclusion: The Prevalence and determinants of depression among elderly patients attending the primary health care center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah during the spread of the Corona viru.  Psychosocial disadvantage and indicators of relatively severe covid infection seem to be risk factors for depression. A system for screening for these disorders employing feasible strategies should ideally be incorporated to mitigate both short term and long-term negative consequences of this pandemic, particularly in inpatient populations, who are already subject to various vulnerabilities.