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Eric Nshimyumuremyi,1 Jean d’Amour Muziki,1,2 Eugene Harerimana,1 Thaoussi Uwera,3 Augustin Nshimiyimana,1 Siméon Gitimbwa Sebatukura,1 Jean Mutabaruka1 1Department of Clinical Psychology, College of Medicine, and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; 2Department of Tubarerere Mu Muryango (TMM), National Child Development Agency (NCD), Kigali, Rwanda; 3Department of Health Informatics, College of Medicine, and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, RwandaCorrespondence: Jean d’Amour Muziki, Department of Tubarerere Mu muryango (TMM), National Child Development Agency (NCD), A&P Building, 3rd Floor 18KG Ave Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda, Tel +250788887249, Email muzikijd01@gmail.comBackground: The 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda significantly impacted family structure, with many people growing old alone and lacking social bonds and connections with family members. However, little is known about the contribution of the family environment to geriatric depression which was highlighted by WHO as a psychological problem with a 10% to 20% prevalence rate among the elderly worldwide. This study aims to investigate geriatric depression and associated family determinants among the elderly in Rwanda.Methods: With a community-based cross-sectional study design, we assessed geriatric depression (GD), quality-of-life enjoyment and satisfaction (QLES), family support (FS), loneliness, neglect, and attitude toward grief in a convenience sample of 107 participants (M=72.32, SD=8.79) aged between 60 and 95 years who were recruited from three groups of elderly people supported by the NSINDAGIZA organization in Rwanda. SPSS (version 24) was used for statistical data analysis; differences across various sociodemographic variables were tested for significance by an independent t-test; the relationship between study variables was tested by Pearson correlation analysis; and multiple regression analysis was performed to model the contribution of independent variables to dependent variables.Results: A total of 64.5% of the elderly scored above the threshold of the normal range of geriatric depression (SDS> 49), with higher symptoms in women than in men. Multiple regression analysis indicated that family support and quality-of-life enjoyment and satisfaction were contributors to geriatric depression in the participants.Conclusion: Geriatric depression was relatively common in our participants. It is associated with the quality of life and family support received. Hence, adequate family-based interventions are needed to improve the well-being of geriatric people in their respective families.Keywords: depression, family environment, elderly, Rwanda |
