A Study on Perceived Health Status, Physical Symptom, Depression in the Elderly of Rural Areas

Choi, Hee Jung

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among perceived health status, physical symptom, and depression in the elderly of Rural areas. METHOD: subjects were 633 elders selected during Feb. to May in 2005. All subject agreed to participate and filled out the survey questionnaire after signing the consent form. scales used in this study are the Perceived Health Status, the Physical Health Questionnaire(PHQ) and the Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS). Data was analyzed by the SPSS/PC 12.0 program. RESULT: 1) The mean score of perceived health status was 7.78; the mean score of physical symptom was 18.56; the mean score of depression was 8.53, and 64.6% of the subjects belonged to the depression group. 2) Perceived health status had significant relationship with educational level, spouse, and economic status; between physical symptom and educational level, number of chronic disease; between depression and spouse, economic status, number of chronic disease. 3) Depression had negative correlation with perceived health status, but had positive correlation with physical symptom. CONCLUSION: Considering these findings, it is necessary that depression management programs and care intervention programs considering regional and environmental elements for the elderly in Rural areas.