背景:抑郁症是导致残疾的主要原因,对任何疾病的总体负担都有重要贡献。在沙特阿拉伯,65岁以上的老年人口正在继续扩大,并将为沙特社区的很大一部分做出贡献。随着老年人口由于寿命延长而持续增长,在这个人群中,患有未确诊的老年抑郁症的人数将会增加。
目的:本研究旨在评估一般人群对症状的态度和知识,标志,和老年抑郁症的并发症,提高老年人的生活质量。
方法:这是一项横断面研究,使用2320名参与者的便利样本,2022年3月至9月。然而,由于年龄,国籍,以及不符合我们纳入标准的不完整答复,629名参与者被排除在外,样本量缩小到1691。在综合文献综述的基础上,设计了结构化问卷来收集数据。向沙特公民分发了一份在线调查。参与者在18至50岁之间,包括男女,仅包括沙特国民。选择这个年龄组作为一个方便的,有目的的样本,假设这部分人口除了与老年人直接接触外,还可以参加电子调查。所有分析均使用IBMSPSSStatistics软件forWindows进行,版本26.0(IBMCorp.,Armonk,NY).使用非参数检验对数据进行分析,因为它们不是正态分布的。
结果:该研究包括来自沙特阿拉伯不同地区的1,691名参与者,观察到显著的性别差异,包括1,249名女性(73.9%)和442名男性(26.1%)。我们的大多数参与者在18-29岁之间,占样本的55.2%。描述性统计数据揭示了参与者对老年抑郁症的普遍信念。值得注意的是,35.1%的人强烈同意,19.3%的人同意抑郁症会影响特定年龄的个体,而很大一部分(47.1%)不同意老年人抑郁症是健康问题的说法。此外,33.9%的人不同意老年抑郁症会导致自杀,33.8%的人认为可以预防。对行为和行为的分析突出了回避倾向,只有1.5%的人强烈同意治疗患有老年抑郁症的家庭成员,大多数人(63.7%)由于害怕受到伤害而避免互动,其中29.5%的人强烈同意,34.2%的人同意。性别差异在情绪反应和知识水平上很明显,女性表现出更高的情绪反应(平均得分为15.63±2.92),男性表现出更高的知识(平均得分为14.90±3.36)。
结论:在这项研究中,我们调查了沙特人对老年人抑郁症的知识和态度。研究结果表明,人们对老年抑郁症的认识不足,许多人没有意识到它是一种健康状况,低估了它的严重程度。负面的情绪和行为,例如羞愧和不愿提供支持,很普遍。性别,教育水平,和地区影响了态度和知识。这些结果强调了有针对性的干预措施的必要性,以提高认识并挑战沙特阿拉伯老年抑郁症的污名。
BACKGROUND: Depression is a leading cause of disability and contributes significantly to the overall burden of any disease. In Saudi Arabia, the geriatric population over 65 is continuing to expand and will contribute to a significant portion of the Saudi community. As the population of the elderly continues to grow as a result of longer lifespans, there will be an increase in the number of individuals in this population suffering from undiagnosed geriatric depression.
OBJECTIVE: This
study aims to assess the general population\'s attitude and knowledge about the symptoms, signs, and complications of geriatric depression to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional
study, using a convenience sample of 2,320 participants, between March to September 2022. However, due to age, nationality, and incomplete responses that did not meet our inclusion criteria, 629 participants were excluded, and the sample size narrowed to 1,691. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data based on a comprehensive literature review. An online survey was distributed to Saudi citizens. The participants were between 18 and 50, both women and men and only Saudi nationals were included. This age group was selected as a convenient, purposeful sample, assuming that this portion of the population will be able to be enrolled in an electronic survey in addition to their direct contact with elderlies as possible caregivers. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software for Windows, version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The data were analyzed using a nonparametric test because they were not normally distributed.
RESULTS: The
study comprised 1,691 participants from diverse regions of Saudi Arabia, with a significant gender disparity observed, including 1,249 females (73.9%) and 442 males (26.1%). The majority of our participants were between 18-29 years, accounting for 55.2% of the sample. Descriptive statistics revealed prevalent beliefs among participants regarding geriatric depression. Notably, 35.1% strongly agreed and 19.3% agreed that depression affects individuals of particular ages, while a significant portion (47.1%) disagreed with the statement that depression in the elderly is a health problem. Additionally, 33.9% disagreed that geriatric depression can lead to suicide, and 33.8% believed it can be prevented. Analysis of actions and behaviors highlighted avoidance tendencies, with only 1.5% of the population strongly agreeing to treat a family member with geriatric depression and a majority (63.7%) avoiding interaction due to fear of harm, including 29.5% who strongly agreed and 34.2% who agreed. Gender differences were evident in emotional responses and knowledge levels, with females exhibiting higher emotional responses (mean score 15.63±2.92) and males displaying greater knowledge (mean score 14.90±3.36).
CONCLUSIONS: In this
study, we investigated the knowledge and attitudes of Saudis toward depression in the elderly. Findings revealed an inadequate understanding of geriatric depression, with many not recognizing it as a health condition and underestimating its severity. Negative emotions and behaviors, such as shame and reluctance to provide support, were prevalent. Gender, education level, and region influenced attitudes and knowledge. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding geriatric depression in Saudi Arabia.