Factors affecting mental health among slum and non-slum elderly during COVID-19

The study's objective was to determine the predictors that affect the mental health of the 250 elderly living in slums (N=100, 59 males and 41 females) and nonslum areas (N=150, 75 males and 75 females) in Dhaka city of Bangladesh, selected by random sampling. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess their mental health. The Chi-square test and Logistic regression model were used for data analysis. The Chisquare test showed that the psychological stress of the elderly is significantly associated with their age, education, income, and marital status in both slum and non-slum areas. The logistic regression analysis shows that income, diabetes, and physical exercise are the most influential psychological stress factors in the elderly. The elderly living in slum areas are more likely to experience psychological stress than non-slum areas. Therefore, necessary steps should be taken to improve the mental health of the elderlye specially those living in slum areas of the country.