Late-life depression in sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from the Ibadan Study of Ageing

Abstract

The population surviving to old age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasing rapidly in consonance with the rest of the world. Nevertheless, the sub-region offers unique challenges to survival across the lifespan. The determinants of health and ageing in SSA are thus likely different from those in higher income countries. The need to explore pressing epidemiological and health service challenges of older people living in SSA in the context of multiple social changes and rapid ageing of the population provided the rationale for the Ibadan Study of Ageing (ISA). This article appraises ISA findings in relation to late-life depression. It concludes that healthcare policies in SSA need to deliberately prioritise the treatment of depression and other mental health problems in late-life in order to stem the neglect of older people's mental health in the region.