Factors associated with depression symptoms among Malay community-dwelling older people in Kuala Terengganu

Abstract

The ageing population is expected to experience mental health challenges, as shown by the increasing trends in the prevalence of these ailments. Older people are vulnerable to depression due to a number of factors, but it is often undertreated. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among community-dwelling older people in Terengganu. A quantitative cross sectional study was conducted in several areas of Terengganu using a multi-layered, stratified sampling technique. A total of 240 participants were randomly selected. Several instruments were used, namely the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ), the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Barthel Modified Index, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). The prevalence of depression symptoms among community-dwelling older people in Kuala Terengganu was 24.6%. In addition, the multivariable logistic regression model revealed that single older people, regardless of whether they were unmarried, widowed or divorced (aOR =42.42; CI = 1.22, 15.96), poor social support (aOR = 3.06; CI = 1.18, 7.93), loneliness (aOR =1.11; CI = 9.87, 45.18), impaired functional status (aOR = 3.39; CI =1.22, 9.39), impaired instrumental function (aOR = 6.09; CI = 1.95, 19.0), and older people with asthma (aOR 14.14; CI = 2.83, 70.5) were associated with depression symptoms in older people. Therefore, screening of older people in primary care for early detection of depression symptoms and initiation of community-based intervention for psychological aspects is needed to address the problem.