Citation

Wee LE, Yong YZ, Chng MW, Chew SH, Cheng L, Chua QH, Yek JJ, Lau LJ, Anand P, Hoe JT, Shen HM, Koh GC. Aging Ment. Health 2014; 18(5): 628-641.

Affiliation

a Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine , National University of Singapore , National University Health System , Singapore.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13607863.2013.866632

PMID

24392759

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) can be associated with depression. We aimed to assess prevalence of depression amongst community-dwelling elderly in a multiethnic, urban, low-SES, Asian neighborhood, comparing against a higher SES neighborhood.METHOD: The study population involved all residents aged ≥60 years in two Singaporean housing estates comprising owner-occupied public housing (higher SES) and public rental housing (low SES) in 2012. Having lifetime prevalence of depression was defined as having a score ≥5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 or a history of depression. Demographic/clinical details were collected via questionnaire. Those with depression were referred to local polyclinics. Multilevel multivariate logistic regression determined predictors of depression and depression screening.RESULTS: Participation was 61.5% (559/909). In the low-SES community, 26.2% (104/397) had depression, compared with 14.8% (24/162) in the higher SES community. After adjusting for other sociodemographic variables, staying in a low-SES community (public rental housing) was independently associated with depression [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-2.84]. Within the low-SES community, not being married (aOR = 2.27, CI = 1.35-3.70), falls (aOR = 2.72, CI = 1.59-4.67), visual impairment (aOR = 2.37, CI = 1.28-4.39), and poorer social network (aOR = 3.70, CI = 1.96-7.14) were associated with depression.CONCLUSION: Residing in a low-SES community was independently associated with depression after controlling for individual SES.

Language: en