Prevalence of geriatric depression in Mosul City-North of Iraq

Abstract AR

Descriptive study aimed to determining the prevalence of depression n in elderly aged 65 years and more in Mosul city, gender and age specific prevalence among study sample, to predict the type of depression in elderly people, and lastly to know it’s relation with some variables taken in consideration.

A sample of 210 people selected systematically, from primary health care centers (PHCC) to represent the different geographical zones of Mosul city.

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) of Yasavage and Brink (1983) and Geriatric Depression Scale of Yasavage (1983) was adopted in this study, by direct interview with each individual.

The study shows a prevalence rate of (36.19%) of which (30.48%) was mild type while sever one was (5.71%).

Among all variables the only significant difference was in gender.

This study may help in planning a preventive strategy to reduce the adverse outcomes of psychiatric disorders in old people, if factors are amenable to change can be identified and dealt with.