Study On Incidence, Influencing Factors And Relevant Policies Of Geriatric Depression In The Rural Community Of Anhui Province

Objectives: This study aims at investigating the incidence and influencing factors of geriatric depression in rural community of Anhui Province and providing scientific basis to the government' policy makers for making proper community intervention and preventive measures on geriatric depression.Methods: 1505 non-depressed elderly of the study on the prevalence of depression among the elderly was followed up with an one-year interval by using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule (GMS) and its corresponding computerized diagnostric system(AGECAT) ,and the Minimum Data Set (MDS). All data were analysed by using the SPSS. The methods of descriptive analysis, the x~2 test and a logistic regression, were used.Results: (1) AGECAT, the computer-aided diagnostric system, identified 89 cases of the geriatric depression and its incidence was 7.2%. (2) Multinomial Logistic regression showed that having heart disease, being stroke or hemiplegy, worrying about their children, living alone, having conflict with relatives, the frequency of negative life events, self-percieving economy, frequency of communicating with friends were influencing factors and being fond of watching TV or playing cards or Majiang, getting help when needed and having friends who could be trusted in may decrease the incidence of geriatric depression. (3) The AGECAT has high reliability and validity when used in the study of the geriatric depression in rural community...