Assessment of Depression and Relates in Rural Elderly

The questionnaire survey using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale(CES-D) was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression and related factors in the rural elderly. The subjects were 922 individuals of 60 years of age and over, living in Chonnam province. The results of this study were as follows. The prevalence rates of depression were 14.6% in male and 24.4%, in female. As the age increased, the prevalence rate increased and the rate was higher in non-educational and widowhood group. The prevalence rate was lower in the group of having good health habits and having a good health status. In the regression analysis, significant predictors of the depression were sex, education, physical activity, perceived health status and body image. In conclusion, main, characteristics which had close relationship to depression in the rural elderly were physical function and self-rated health status.