Publication: Dementia Symptoms among Senior Citizens Living in Geriatric Homes of Kathmandu Valley
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
With increasing age, the older population becomes more susceptible to mental
disorders. It is important to recognize and develop an understanding of psychiatric
morbidity particularly among the residents of geriatric homes in resource-poor
settings.
Objective
To assess the prevalence and associated factors of dementia symptoms among
Nepalese senior citizens living in geriatric homes of Kathmandu valley.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 senior citizens living in geriatric
homes of Kathmandu valley. Cognitive Impairment Test (CIT), was used to assess
dementia symptoms. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed.
All the variables that were significant at p < 0.05 level in the bivariate analysis
were included in the multivariate regression model and statistical significance was
declared at p < 0.05 with a 95.00% confidence interval (CI).
Result
This study showed 75.65%, of the participants, had dementia symptoms. In the
multivariate logistic regression analysis, female respondents (AOR=2.94, 95%
CI=1.31-6.57), respondents never received geriatric allowances (AOR=2.46, 95%
CI=1.22-4.98), respondent’s history of alcohol consumption habits (AOR=2.04, 95%
CI=1.01-4.11) and non-vegetarian diet habits (AOR= 2.31, 95% CI=1.12-4.76) were
found more likely to had higher dementia symptoms whereas, literate participants
(AOR=0.19, 95% CI=0.08-0.43) were less likely to had dementia symptoms.
Conclusion
The high prevalence of dementia symptoms among senior citizens living in geriatric
homes in the Kathmandu valley indicates an urgent need for early diagnosis and
treatment of mental disorders among senior citizens to improve their quality of life
and well-being.
KEY WORDS
Dementia, Geriatric homes, Nepal, Senior citizens
Description
Singh DR,1 Parajuli P,2 Hug J,3 Nath D,4 Koirala R,5 Mandal R2
1Department of Public Health,
Asian College for Advance Studies,
Purbanchal University,
Satdobato, Lalitpur, Nepal
2Department of Public Health,
National Open College,
Pokhara University, Lalitpur, Nepal
3European Alliance against Depression,
Leipzig, Germany
4Academic and Research Department,
Grande International Hospital,
Kathmandu, Nepal
5Faculty of Medicine,
University of Oslo,
Oslo, Norway
Keywords
Dementia, Geriatric homes, Nepal, Senior citizens