Prevalence of depression, and its associated factors among the elderly in Songkhla Province, Thailand: Two-stage cluster sampling study

BACKGROUND: Depression in elderly usually goes unnoticed in the general population. The aim of this research is to study on the prevalence, and associated factors of elderly depression within Songkhla province. This being a major city with a population of one and a half million, situated in the south of Thailand. METHODS: This is a two-stage cluster sampling study. We collected data from members of the elderly population (65-99 years of age) in Songkhla Province from 1st of September – 30th of November 2015. The sample size was calculated by R-program. We used the 15-item Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS-15) questionnaire to find the prevalence and its association of factors. The associated factors were analyzed by multiple logistic regression using a backward-stepwise method. RESULTS: By using TGDS-15, the prevalence of depression in the elderly population in Songkhla province was 12.0 percent. The association of depression as well as potential, associated factors in this study; sex, age, and residential area, were not found to be significant. We found more prevalence among Muslims, those being alone, and having a lower educational level within this area (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression was quite high among the elderly population of Songkhla province. Many statically, both significant and insignificant, correlations were found. We need an in-depth research, concerning both biological and spiritual aspects to explain the etiology of depression. Then, some policies need to be implemented to intervene those factors, so as to promote better health and quality of life in elderly people