RELATION BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG ELDERLY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GERIATRIC PROMOTIVE SERVICES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Document Type : Original Article

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Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University.

Abstract

There is accelerating growth in elderly population worldwide. Depression and malnutrition are main problems among elderly. They are strongly related.The study aimed firstly, to determine prevalence of depression among elderly. Secondly, find out the relation between depression and malnutrition. Thirdly introduce geriatric promotive, preventative and curative unit in the family health center (FHC).In this experimental study conducted in a FHC included 356 elderly considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data was collected using geriatric depression scale 15 (GDS-15 ) questionnaire , mini nutritional assessment (MNA) and anthropometric measurement took place .Then introduction of geriatric services unit in the FHC .It was shown that 59% had moderate depression, 62% were malnourished and 75.8% had VIT D deficiency.Nutritional status significantly associated with depression (P<0.01).The GDS-15 score significantly correlated with both MNA-15 and VIT D (p < 0.01) Elderly individuals suffer from depressive symptoms and malnutrition with high prevalence. Depression is correlated with malnutrition and VIT D status. There is a need for enhancement of geriatric health services.

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