DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG RURAL ELDERLY WOMEN IN NILPHAMARI, BANGLADESH: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Population ageing is an important demographic and public-health development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where older adults may experience multiple social, economic, physical, and psychological challenges. Depression and depressive symptoms among older people can adversely affect quality of life, functional independence, social participation, treatment adherence, and overall well-being. Older rural women may be particularly vulnerable because of limited educational opportunities, economic dependence, widowhood or marital disruption, chronic health conditions, and restricted access to health and social services. This study assessed the level of depressive symptoms among elderly women living in rural areas of Nilphamari District, Bangladesh.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2023 among 203 rural women aged 60 years and above in Nilphamari District. Participants were selected using a random sampling approach. Data were collected through a pretested, interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and treatment-related information was collected. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics.
Results: The mean age was 67.00 ± 7.408 years, with a range of 60–90 years. More than half (57.63%) were aged 60–65 years. Most participants were Muslim (91.13%) and 95.57% were illiterate. Regarding marital status, 61.08% were divorced and 37.93% were married. Housewives constituted 47.78% and retired women 45.81%. More than half (54.68%) lived in joint families. Chronic disease was reported by 60.10%, while 95.57% reported regular treatment facilities. Based on the reported GDS classification, 80.79% were in the severe depressive-symptom category, 16.26% moderate, and 2.96% mild.
Conclusion: The study identified a substantial burden of GDS-classified depressive symptoms among the surveyed rural elderly women in Nilphamari. The findings support integrating mental-health screening into geriatric and primary healthcare services in rural Bangladesh. Because this was a cross-sectional study based on a screening instrument and a geographically limited sample, the findings should not be interpreted as establishing clinical diagnoses or causal relationships.