PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE ELDERLY TREATED IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms and health conditions in the elderly treated in Primary Health Care. Method: cross-sectional observational research, with a quantitative approach, carried out with 130 elderly people from a Brazilian municipality. Data collection occurred between November 2019 and March 2020, using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and a questionnaire, including sociodemographic data. Results: prevalence of depressive symptoms present in 78 elderly (63.1%). The associated independent variables were: female gender, age between 60 and 69 years, monthly income from 1 to 3 minimum wages, greater than nine years of schooling, mental and physical domain at risk, with more than three self-reported diseases and more than five medications used. Conclusion: the high prevalence of depressive symptoms in the elderly population studied requires investment in prevention actions, noting the need for practices that promote active aging and life satisfaction.