Study On Health Services Of Geriatric Depression In The Rural Community Of Anhui Province

Objectives:This study aims at investigating the prevalence and relevant factors of elderly depression in rural areas of Anhui province, so as to provide scientific basis for the governmental community health service planning and proper intervention and preventive measures of geriatric depression.Methods: 60 year-old and above residents who live in the community were selected by random sampling from Tangdian Community, Yingshang county of Anhui province. The 1600 subjects were interviewed with the Geriatric Mental State Schedule (GMS) and its corresponding computerized diagnostic system, the Automated Geriatric Examination for computer assisted Taxonomy(AGECAT) and the Minimum Data Set (MDS). All data were analyzed by using the SPSS 11.5. The methods of descriptive analysis and multinomial logistic regression were used to examine the correlation between the geriatric depression and relevant factors.Results: (1) The AGECAT identified 95 cases of the geriatric depression and its prevalence was 5.9%, also identified 69 subcases of the geriatric depression and its prevalence was 4.3%, (2) Multinomial regression showed that the major risk factors of the geriatric depression were being female, self-perceived poor health, self-perceived poor economy, living with non-lineal family members, having adverse or horrific experience etc, and communicating with friends occasionally or frequently may decrease the prevalence of geriatric depression.The output also showed that the major risk factors of the subcases were self-perceived poor health, self-perceived poor economy, self-perceived poor life , having stroke, living with non-lineal family members,worrying about their children etc.(3) The AGECAT has high reliability and validity, which can be used in the screening, diagnosis of the geriatric depression. Recommendation: (l)Bringing the prevention and care of the geriatric depression into the layout of rural PHC.(2) Intensifying the construction of socialistic spiritual culture in rural community. (3 )Exploiting efficient utility to carry out community diagnosis,so as to detect cases as early as possible.(4)Putting emphases on key population,and developing elderly health education.(5)Adopting suitable measures to solve the problems of loneliness of rural aged people.(6)Setting up good system of social sustainment.(7)Intensifying the research of elderly depression and psychiatry in rural community.