Prevalence of Depression in Elderly People Enrolled in a Social Health Care Program

Abstract

Objective: to determine the prevalence of depression using the Yesavage scale in elderly people enrolled in the Social Health Care Program (shcp) of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (imss). Methods: cross-sectional study, non-probabilistic sampling by convenience, 280 adults over 60 years of age enrolled in the Social Health Care Program of the Family Medicine Unit No. 61 of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in the State of Mexico participated during September 2020. The participants were enrolled in the program and they regularly attended educational sessions. Surveys were conducted based on the 15-item Yesavage geriatric depression scale and sociodemographic data were collected. The prevalence of depression was described using proportions and means. Results: data from 212 women (75.71%) and 68 men (24.28%) were evaluated, with an average age of 68.25 years, the most frequent age group was 65 to 70 years, a low level of schooling was found in 74.3%; a prevalence of depression of 5% was determined, of which 71% was female and 29% male; all participants presented mild depression. Conclusion: a low prevalence of depression was identified in the patients enrolled in the program. It is recommended to implement more studies to know the beneficial potential of health support programs in the prevention, treatment, and reduction of diseases in elderly people.