The Prevalence and Correlates of Depression among Senior Citizens in Greater Kumasi of the Ashanti Region

Abstract Background: Approximately two million Ghanaians suffer from mental disorders; however, the burden of depression on the aged population is fairly unknown. A better appreciation of depression and its predictors is necessary to design appropriate policy interventions. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and correlates of depression among senior citizens in the Greater Kumasi of the Ashanti region. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with a multi-stage sampling approach was employed to recruit and collect data from adults 60 years and above at the household level in four enumeration areas (EAs) within the Asokore Mampong Municipality. Households within each EAs were mapped and listed by trained resident enumerators to create a sampling frame. Data was collected electronically with Open Data Kit application over 30 days through face-to-face interaction using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics. A multivariate logistics regression using a backward stepwise approach was employed to identify the predictors of depression in the study sample. All analyses were performed using STATA software version 16, and the significance level was maintained at a p-value<0.05 and presented at a 95% confidence interval.Results: The mean age was 69.9 (SD=8.8), and the distribution was similar for both sexes (p=0.25). The prevalence of depression was estimated to be 42.1% and dominated by females, older adults (>80 years) and lower economic class respondents. The rate was 43.4% for both consumers of alcohol and smokers with a history of stroke (41.2%) and taking medication for chronic conditions (44.2%). The predictors of depression in our study were being single, low class [aOR=1.97; 95% CI=1.18-3.27], hypertensive [aOR=1.45; 95% CI=0.96-2.20], and having other chronic conditions [aOR=1.86; 95% CI=0.95-4.62], and the inability to manage ones’ own affairs [aOR=0.56; 95% CI=0.32-0.97]Conclusion: The study provides data that can inform policy decisions on the care of the elderly with depression in Ghana and other similar countries, confirming the need to provide support efforts towards high-risk groups such as single people, people with chronic health conditions, and lower-income people. Additionally, the evidence provided in this study could serve as baseline data for larger and longitudinal studies.