PREVALENCE and FACTORS ASSOCIATED with DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY in OLDER ADULTS of the “MICAELA BASTIDAS” HEALTH CENTER, LIMA-Peru

Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with depression in older adults in a marginal urban area of Peru. Methods: It is a cross-sectional analytical study in adults over 60 years of age in a marginal urban area of Lima. The dependent variable was evaluated using the 15-items geriatric depression scale, considering presence of depression with a score ≥ 6. The factors associated with depression were calculated using raw and adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using poisson regressions with robust variance. Results: Of the 142 older adults (age: 70.4 ± 8.14 years), the prevalence of the presence of depression was 55.6% (women: 39.6% and men: 53.4%). The education (RPa: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.88) and not currently working status (RPa: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.09 - 2.05) were associated factors that increased the prevalence of depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in older adults in a marginal urban area of Peru was high. Older adults who did not complete their schooling and did not work were more likely to develop depression.