Social Groups with Factor Protective to Depression in Elderly. Barranquilla, Colombia

Abstract

Background: The depression is a principal problem of public health. The principal aim of this study is to determine the role of the social groups as factor protective in elderly, to evaluate the agreement by American Psychiatric Association Criterions and Hamilton Depression test, and also to determine other socio-cultural risk factors associated with depressive syndrome in elderly. Method: Cross-sectional survey. The sample consisted of 602 elderly people (eligible subjects) were men (223) and women (379) between 60 and 94 years (males and females), residents in the south-west of Barranquilla, Colombia. A presviously tested, self answer questionnaire was used, therefore, we needed a report consent. Riks measures: Odds Ratio (OR- 95% Confidence intervalue), Kappa test to agreement by the nine criteria of the American Psychiatric Association and Hamilton test so, screening testing Results: The participation in social groups was a protector factor. (Odds Ratio = 0.5; 95% CI 0.34-0.73, p=0,001). The rate 29.9% was obtained with prevalence of depression in elderly (21.4%-39.47%) affecting principally males (32.7%). The agreement by Kappa test=0.63 was very important or good. Sensibility=56.1% (48.5%-63.4%) Specifycity=0.93% (97.8%-99,8%) and Predictive Positive Value = 97.1% (91.2%-99.3%).Conclusions: This survey was to determine riks factors related to depression in elderly in anyway can be potencialy modifiable.