Objective: To estimate the prevalence of depression and determine the factors associated with it in older Indians aged 50 years and above. Method: This study was based on a nationally representative sample of 7,150 older Indians from WHO’s Study of Global Aging and Adult Health, SAGE-2007. Mild, moderate, and severe depression was assessed through International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Diagnostic Criteria for Research (ICD-10-DCR). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of socio-demographic, health, and diet-related characteristics on depression. Results: Estimated prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe depression in the past 12 months was 13.6%, 12.4%, and 8.2% respectively, in older Indians. Functional disability, cognitive impairment, low quality of life, low wealth status, and chronic conditions such as angina, asthma, or chronic lung disease were the significant risk factors for depression. Discussion: Protective and risk factors identified can be helpful in formulation of different policies for older Indians.
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