Study On Health Services Of Geriatric Depression In The Communities Of Hefei City

Objectives: This study aims at investigating the prevalence and relevant factors of depression of the elder in urban areas of Hefei City, Anhui Province and setting up basic data of the old population so as to provide scientific rationale for the government's community health planning and proper community intervention and preventive measures.Methods: 65 year-old and above residents who have lived in the community for five years or more were selected by random sampling from Yimin Community, Luyang District, in Hefei City. The 1736 subjects were interviewed with the Geriatric Mental State Schedule (GMS) and its corresponding computerized diagnostric system, the Automated Geriatric Examination for computer assisted Taxonomy(AGECAT) and the Minimum Data Set (MDS). All data were analysed by using the SPSS. The methods of descriptive analysis, the X2 test and a logistic regression, etc. were used to examine the correlation between the geriatric depression and relevant factors. Results: (1) AGECAT, the computer-aided diagnostric system, identified 39 cases of the geriatric depression and its prevalence was 2.2%. (2) Multiple stepwise regression showed that the major risk factors of the old population were being illiterate, having college level and above, self-perceived poor health, self-perceived life dissatisfaction, worrying about their children, having cancer, living with non-lineal family members, worse health status, losing their relatives, etc. Such approaches as going for a walk frequently and travelling, etc. may decrease the prevalence of geriatric depression. (3) The AGECAT has high reliability and validity, which can be used in the screening, diagnostic and epidemic survey of the geriatric depression.Recommendation: (1) Intensifying international and domestic communication and cooperation in the epidemiologic study on depression of the elder. (2) Developing "quarterunitied depression health care model" of the edler aims at whole socity's mobilization, community interference, family care and individual participation. (3) Improving the management of community geriatric depression. (4) Intensifying the three-level prevention project of geriatric depression in the community.