Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
Obstetrics and gynecological nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Apr 30;28(4):78-89. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i4.9.
Depression is a global health concern, particularly in the geriatric population. The increasing number of hospital admissions among older individuals highlights the need for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to understand and treat geriatric depression. Nurses play a crucial role in caring for older adults with depressive symptoms or depression. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding geriatric depression among primary care nurses in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 primary healthcare nurses in Jazan City using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge scores were measured and compared among selected demographic variables as well as attitudes toward geriatric depression. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version. 20.0. Chi-square test, fisher's exact test were used for comparison of variables with categorical data. Most primary care nurses were interested in caring for older patients with depression; however, they never attended training courses focused on geriatric depression. Where the study indicated that 38.1% of participants have poor knowledge about geriatric depression while 25.2% have good knowledge. Where the majority had a high understanding of the potential side effects of antidepressant medications, while they had limited knowledge about symptoms, diagnosis, and medications, the majority of participants demonstrated a positive attitude regarding feeling comfortable dealing with depressed patients' needs (56.7%) and considered their profession as a well-placed to assist patients (83.3%) However, 15.2% had a negative attitude citing a lack of self-discipline and willpower.
抑郁是一个全球性的健康问题，尤其是在老年人群体中。老年人住院人数的增加突显了医疗保健专业人员（特别是护士）理解和治疗老年抑郁症的必要性。护士在照顾有抑郁症状或抑郁症的老年患者方面发挥着至关重要的作用。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯吉赞地区初级保健护士对老年抑郁症的知识和态度。在吉赞市，采用经过验证的自我管理问卷，对 210 名初级保健护士进行了横断面研究。测量了知识得分，并比较了选定的人口统计学变量以及对老年抑郁症的态度。使用社会科学统计软件包（版本 20.0）分析获得的数据。使用卡方检验和 Fisher 确切检验比较具有分类数据的变量。大多数初级保健护士对照顾有抑郁的老年患者感兴趣；然而，他们从未参加过专门针对老年抑郁症的培训课程。研究表明，38.1%的参与者对老年抑郁症的知识较差，而 25.2%的参与者对老年抑郁症的知识较好。大多数参与者对抗抑郁药物的潜在副作用有较高的认识，但对症状、诊断和药物的了解有限，大多数参与者对处理抑郁患者需求感到舒适（56.7%）并认为他们的职业非常适合帮助患者（83.3%）。然而，15.2%的人持消极态度，认为自己缺乏自律和意志力。
