A community based cross-sectional study on psychosocial status among elderly population of rural field practice area of a tertiary health care centre of Maharashtra

K. Mahesh Prasad Rao; Pushpa Lokare; Neelam D. Sukhsohale

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263627

Authors

K. Mahesh Prasad Rao Department of Community Medicine, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College & King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Pushpa Lokare Department of Community Medicine, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India
Neelam D. Sukhsohale Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Akola, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263627

Keywords:

Psychosocial status, Elderly, Geriatrics, Community

Abstract

Background: Psychological and social factors form an integral part in the health and wellbeing of elderly. The elderly who will constitute 10% of the Indian population by 2025 face problems such as deteriorating healthcare status, loneliness, and economic constraints among others. All these factors together may affect the psychosocial status of the elderly and their health‑seeking behaviour. With this background, the current study tried to evaluate the psychosocial status among elderly patients.

Methods: The present community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 men and women of aged above 60 in rural healthcare centre of a tertiary health centre of Maharashtra. A semi‑structured interview schedule was administered by a trained medical professional after taking informed consent over a period 6 months from January to June 2023.

Results: Depression was found significantly higher in age group above 75 years (66.7%), Of which majority are female (57.9%). The proportion of Hindu suffering from depression was 55.5% as compared to other religions. The depression was found significantly higher among elderly population those who are illiterate and having education below secondary level and of lower socioeconomic status.

Conclusions: In present study, elderly above 75 years, female gender, illiteracy and low SES were found significant factor for poor psychological status. Depression was higher among those elderly population whose advise was not honored and whose living arrangement was alone.

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