A strategy design to address depression and assess the risk factors associated in a geriatric population from “Belkis Sotomayor” polyclinic of Ciego de Ávila

Abstract

An educational strategy was proposed to look after elderly and prevent depression in geriatric ages, socialize these people and change their attitudes. An analytical case-control study was carried out to determine the behavior of depression and its association with risk factors in individuals over 60 years. The sample consisted of 57 patients who were diagnosed as depressed
people; two controls were selected for each of the two by simple random sampling, by age, sex and place of residence. The SPSS program in Windows environment, Chi-square and significance tests were used. Both groups were administered the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale and Diagnostic Criteria of the International Classification of Psychiatric Diseases; biosocial assessment questionnaire was applied, informed prior consent. Depression was diagnosed in about a quarter of the study population, particularly more common in women aged 60 to 64; a high correlation between a history of persistent disorders including hypertension followed by osteoarthritis, asthma and cerebrovascular disorders was found.