PREVALENCE OF GERIATRIC DEPRESSION IN SHKODRA DISTRICT

Edona Sekja, Zamira Shabani, Dea Kraja

Abstract

Aim: Geriatric Depression is a mental and emotional disorder that affects the elderly. The aim of this study is to measure the degree of depression (GDS) and if are relations between age, gender, education, socio-economic level, place of residence, civil status with depression level. Material and methods: this is a transversal, cross-sectional study developed during June 2017-October 2017. The populations that have attended our study were 200 people older than 60 years. A Short Form GDS consisting of 15 questions was developed in 1986. All data collected were analyzed using SPSS Version19 and Microsoft Office Excel 2010. Conclusions: From the data analysis, 28% of the elderly did not have depression, 49% of them had mild depression, 16% had moderate depression and 7% had severe depression. Most elderly people experienced some of the major symptoms of depression such as: withdrawal, stuttering, feelings of invalidity, pessimism, and a sense of distress.

Pages: 159 - 165