According to previous investigation among the elderly at home treatment and care centers, carried on by Mental Health Team of Institute of Gerontology,they showed high prevalence of mental disorders.
Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.
Aim: To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among elderly disabled patient in home setting and to determine contributing factors.
Method: Screening test (Simon, 1968) for early detection of mental disorders was used among newly admitted patients, N=2343 in five year period (1994-1998). Depressive symptoms were evaluated through questions about meaning of life and concerning of his/her health. Inquiry for getting socio-demographic data was applied for each person. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was related to sociodemographic data: age, sex, marital status and level of education.
Results: Depressive symptoms were found out in 33, 9% of sample and 45, 6% were worried for their health condition. Highly statistical difference was found in prevalence of depressive symptoms among men and women. Marital status (lei. widowhood) and low educational level were contributing factors to depressive symptoms in women at home treatment and care centers.
Conclusion: High prevalence of depressive symptoms was confirmed along with identification of population at risk for depression among disabled elderly at home treatment: widowed women with low level of education.
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