Investigating the Relationship Between General health and Depression in the Elderly   Living in Urban and Rural Areas of Zanjan city in 2019

Maryam  Nazari; Fatemeh Sadat  Izadkhah; Nammamali  Azadi; Morteza Mansourian

doi:10.18502/tbj.v21i5.11752

Maryam Nazari Ms.c. student of Community based health education, Department of health education and promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Sadat Izadkhah Ph.D. student of health education and health promotion, Department of health education and promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Nammamali Azadi Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Morteza Mansourian Associate Professor, Health promotion research center, Iran University of medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v21i5.11752

Keywords: general health, depression, elderly

Abstract

Introduction: Many physiological problems and issues may threaten the general health of the elderly. On the other hand, the prevalence of mental disorders and depression increases in the elderly. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between general health and depression in the elderly.

methods: The current study was a descriptive-correlational cross-sectional study that was conducted on 420 elderly people living in urban and rural areas of Zanjan city in 2019. The statistical sample was selected by random-cluster sampling method. The research tools were demographic information questionnaire, Goldberg and Hiller general health questionnaire and depression questionnaire in the elderly. Spssv25 software was used to analyze the results at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: The results showed a direct and significant relationship between marital status and depression in the elderly (P=0.017); The component of impairment in social functioning had a negative and significant relationship, and other components of general health (physical symptoms, symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies) showed a positive and statistically significant relationship with depression in the elderly. (P ≥ 0.001)

Conclusion: improving the social relations of the elderly and creating suitable employment for their age, such as movement activities in the form of teamwork and group work, is effective in preventing frustration and depression as well as maintaining their independence.