Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Halk Sağlığı AD, İzmir

Objective: To investigate the depressive signs and risk factors in the elderly in a low socio-economic region. Methods: This study was cross-sectional analytic. The study population consisted of 359 elder residing in İnönü Health Center District, İzmir. 204 elder were selected by using cluster sampling method; 201 of them were reached. The dependent variable was the depressive signs as measured by the Depressive Sign Scale (DSS); independent variables were demographic, economic characteristics, and health status of the participants. Data was obtained by using face to face questionnaire method. T-test, Mann Whitney-U test and Multi-linear-regression were used for the statistical analyses. Results: The mean age of the elderly was 70.8 (SD=6.5) 61.2% of them were female, 91.0% were illiterate, 11.4% of the elder were living alone, 25.9% had no social security. The DSS mean score was 3.8 (SE=0.31). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the frequency of contact with relatives and friends was the only risk factor for depressive signs. Conclusion: In a low socio-economic-region, most important risk factor affecting depressive signs was the frequency of contact with relatives and friends.