Prevalence of Geriatric Depression and Its Associated Risk Factors in Rangpur, Bangladesh: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Author (s)

Anonto Chandra, Md. Mamunor Rashid, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, & Rima Akter

Abstract

Depression exists as an important public health problem for the elderly population throughout developing nations, including Bangladesh. Several risk factors affect the elderly population because they must handle chronic health problems, experience social isolation, and struggle with financial limitations, leading to depression symptoms. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and its associated risk factors among the elderly population in Rangpur, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional research study was conducted in Rangpur District and focused on persons aged 60 and older. A purposive sampling technique was implemented to select 400 participants. The data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire had sections for the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and socio-demographic information. The researchers employed SPSS version 27 for statistical analyses through chi-square tests to determine the connections between depression and risk factors.The research revealed that depression had affected 37.8% of individuals within the elderly population. The study results showed that among the total group of depressed elderly participants, 17% had mild depression, whereas 12.5% exhibited moderate levels and 8.3% presented severe depression. Statistical results demonstrated that depression rates stood at 45.6% for women and 30.2% for men. The 60–75-year population age group reported the highest occurrence of depression at 34.5%. The key factors associated with depression included lower educational status, rural residence, lack of exercise and being widowed or divorced. Analysing depression through the chi-square test revealed meaningful correlations between depression levels and gender (p=0.001), age (p=0.023), educational status (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001) and physical activity (p<0.017).Depression affects the elderly population in Rangpur to a high degree, and it was more common among females, the oldest-old, widowed respondents, those with lower educational attainment, those not engaged in earning activities, rural residents, and those who did not exercise regularly. Mental well-being interventions targeting elderly patients require awareness initiatives coupled with social assistance structures together with better healthcare services to combat their depression.

Key words: Depression, Elderly Population, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Rangpur, Bangladesh.

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Cite This Article:

Chandra, A., Rashid, M. M., Al Mamun, M. A., & Akter, R. (2026). Prevalence of geriatric depression and its associated risk factors in Rangpur, Bangladesh: A community-based cross-sectional study., Journal of Scientific Reports, 14(1), 436-449. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/JSR.1224

About Author (s)

Anonto Chandra (Corresponding Author), Department of Population Science, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8396-5132

Md. Mamunor Rashid, Department of Population Science, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Department of Population Science, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Rima Akter, Department of Anthropology, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/JSR.1224

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