Relationship between family support and depression symptoms among older women attending a general practice clinic, Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Older women are more at risk of depression symptoms. This study assessed the relationship between family support and factors associated with depression symptoms among older women.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 317 older women attending the General Practice Clinic, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria over a period of four months. They completed a semi-structured questionnaire on socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Perceived Social Support-Family Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and  inferential statistics.
Results: The prevalence of depression symptoms was 42.5%. Most respondents (73.8%) also had chronic health problems such as hypertension (53.8%), obesity (43.2%), musculo-skeletal disorders (30.3%) and diabetes mellitus (10.3%). Poor family support was associated with depression symptoms among the respondents Significant factors associated with having depression symptoms include presence of chronic illness (OR=3.54, 95%CI=1.29-9.71, p=0.0001), low income (OR=5.21, 95%CI=1.50-17.86, p=0.020), bereavement (OR=2.39, 95%CI=1.01-5.63, p=0.014) and poor family support (OR=3.42, 95%CI=0.99-11.76, p=0.010).
Conclusions: Poor family support was associated with depressive symptoms. Depression symptoms are common among older women with chronic health problems, poverty and poor family support. Targeting Improving family support these factors will reduce depression symptoms among older women.