Prevalence and correlates of depression among older persons in rural eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional survey
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in developing countries, although it remains neglected. However, little is known about the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression among older persons living in rural communities in Uganda. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of depression and assess the factors associated with depression among older persons in rural communities in Uganda. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from two districts of Busia and Namayingo in rural eastern Uganda among 598 older persons aged 60 years and above. We generated descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine the differences between depression and the explanatory variables. Using a stepwise approach, we used multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine the association between depression and explanatory variables. RESULTS: More than half of respondents (55%) reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Having moderate or severe depressive symptoms was associated with respondents who depend on their children for livelihood (OR = 1.84; CI = 1.02-3.32) or respondents who use firewood as a source of energy or lighting (OR = 2.72; CI = 1.43-5.16). Respondents who were living alone or socially isolated (OR = 2.05; CI = 1.35-3.12), fallen or at the risk of falling (OR = 2.05; CI = 1.35-3.12), frail (OR = 2.57; CI = 1.61-4.10) or being hypertensive (OR = 1.71; CI = 1.03-2.85) were more likely to report moderate or severe depressive symptoms than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Depression remains more prevalent among older persons in low rural resource settings in Uganda. This underscores the need for targeted interventions that promote proper screening, treatment, service delivery, and better health-seeking behaviors among older persons in Uganda.
Source: Global Health Action
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,509
Funders: Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, BRAIN Initiative, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Simons Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association, Presbyterian Health Foundation, Whitehall Foundation, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Radiological Society of North America, BrightFocus Foundation, Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology, Wellcome Trust, Francis Crick Institute, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, UK Government, EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Rwanda, Amorepacific Corporation, National Scleroderma Foundation, Michael Smith Health Research BC, Foulkes Foundation, National Research Foundation, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Deakin University, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, King Saud University, Austrian Science Fund, Chung-Ang University, Konkuk University, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University, Universität Wien, Työsuojelurahasto, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, National Research Foundation of Korea, Hjärnfonden, Regione Campania, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Sapienza Università di Roma, Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province, China Scholarship Council, Gauhati University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Deutsche Krebshilfe, Konung Gustaf V:s och Drottning Victorias Frimurarestiftelse, Ministry of Science and Technology, Israel, Semnan University, Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, Stiftelsen Psykiatriska Forskningsfonden, Alzheimerfonden, Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, Hector Stiftung, Olav Thon Stiftelsen, National Institutes of Health, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Wu Jieping Medical Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Regional Development Fund, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Youth Science Foundation of Guangxi Medical University, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
OpenAlex ID: W7163693109