Predictors of depression among older people living in rural areas of Thailand

Abstract

Global population is ageing and Thailand has one of the fastest growing ageing populations in this region. Combined with this, depression has become a major mental health problem for older people. The objective of this paper is to examine the predictors of depression among rural older people of Thailand. This study has used information from the Study on Health and Social Support among Older Population living in Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System (KDSS), Thailand in 2006. Depression was measured by a 12 item questionnaire of Thai validated Euro-D scale among 1001 respondents. The questions were on depression, pessimism, wishing to die, guilt, sleep disturbance, loss of interest, irritability, eating problems, fatigue, problem in concentration, lack of enjoyment, and tearfulness. Among the respondents 28.5% had depression. The results of logistic regression found that infirmity, disability and serious life events had significant effect on depression of the respondent. Those who had 4 or more infirmity, they were 2.08 times more likely to have depression compare to those who had no or only 1 infirmity. Disability was another strong predictor of the depression. It should be mentioned here that those who had medium disability, had the chance of depression 3.12 times more compare to those who had no disability. Serious life event was also a major factor for the respondents. Those who had 3 or more serious life events they had the depression 5.25 times more compare to those who had no serious life event.This study identified three major predictors of depression for older people in KDSS, Thailand. The finding will help to design specific prevention program to reduce the depression of older people living in the rural area of Thailand.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v37i2.8434

BMRCB 2011; 37(2): 51-56