Depression Symptoms and Associated Factors Among Elderly Women in Kerala

Abstract

Depression is a significant health concern among the elderly population, and it has become increasingly prevalent in Kerala, India. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with demographic socioeconomic and health factors of the elderly in Kerala using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI). The LASI is a nationally representative survey of the elderly population in India. This study used data from the LASI Wave 1 survey conducted in 2017-18. The sample consisted of 671 elderly women aged 60 years and above from Kerala. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). In the study sample, it is observed that about 30 percent women have depression symptoms. This study suggests the need for gender-sensitive interventions to address the high prevalence of depressive symptoms among the elderly population in Kerala. These interventions should focus on reducing gender disparities in education, income, and access to healthcare. Moreover, it is essential to create awareness about mental health issues among the elderly and their families and provide adequate support and care to those suffering from depressive symptoms.