Older adults with hypertension have increased risk of depression compared to their younger counterparts: Evidence from the World Health Organization study of Global Ageing and Adult Health Wave 2 in Ghana
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Date
2020
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Journal of Affective Disorders
Abstract
Background: Depression and hypertension interact through a complex interplay of social, behavioral and bio logical factors. Despite the huge burden of hypertension in the African sub-region, very little information exists
on depression among hypertensive patients. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with
depression among young and older adult hypertensive patients in Ghana.
Method: Data from the World Health Organization Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health wave 2 (2014/
2015) for Ghana was used. Depression was estimated among participants with blood pressure 140/90mmHg and
above. Weighted descriptive statistics and logistic regression with adjusted predictions were carried out. The
analysis was performed using Stata 15.
Result: The overall prevalence of depression was 6.3%. Older hypertensive patients had almost twice the pre valence of depression compared with younger patients (8.4% vs 4.5%). The factors which predicted depression
among hypertensive patients were educational level, marital status, religion, region of residence, work status,
self-rated health (SRH), and unhealthy lifestyle. Participants with no religion were more than 7 times likely to be
depressed compared with Christians [aOR(95%CI)=7.52(2.11-26.8)]. Those in the Volta region were more than
8 times likely to be depressed compared to those in the Greater Accra region [aOR(95%CI)=8.58(2.51-29.3)].
Conclusion: Older adult hypertensive patients were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Multiple
factors predicted depression in both young and old hypertensive patients; thus a comprehensive care package
including psychological support for patients with hypertension is essential for optimum clinical management.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Depression, Older adults, Younger adults, Hypertension