Nepali Version of Geriatric Depression Scale-15 – A Reliability and Validation Study

  • Ajay Risal Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Eliza Giri Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Oshin Shrestha Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Sabina Manandhar Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Dipak Kunwar Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Richa Amatya Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Nirmala Manandhar College of Nursing, Scheer Memorial Hospital, Banepa, Kavre, Nepal
  • Kedar Manandhar Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Are Holen Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Abstract

Background: Geriatric depression is a significant problem in both the developed and the developing world. To identify this condition, Geriatric Depression Scale has been used in different languages and cultural settings; it has proved to be a reliable and valid instrument. However, the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 version in Nepali has so far not been validated.
Methods: The original 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 was translated into Nepali and administered by trained nurses to a target sample aged ?60 years at Dhulikhel Hospital (n=106). Subsequently, the participants were blindly interviewed by a consultant psychiatrist for possible geriatric depression according to the ICD-10 criteria. Cronbach’s alpha checked the reliability. Validity was assessed for three different cut-off points (4/5, 5/6, and 6/7); the related sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and the negative predictive value of the scale were estimated.
Results: The mean participant age was 68.1 (±7.2); males and females, 50.9% and 49.1%, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.79.The optimal cut-off point was found to be 5/6 with sensitivity and specificity 86.3% and 74.5%, respectively.
Conclusions: Using a standard statistical protocol, a reliable and valid Geriatric Depression Scale-15-Nepali was developed with an adequate internal consistency and an optimal balance between sensitivity and specificity at cut-off point 5/6.The Geriatric Depression Scale-15-Nepali can serve as an appropriate instrument for assessing geriatric depression in epidemiological research as well as in primary health care settings in Nepal.
Keywords: Geriatric depression; internal consistency; sensitivity; South Asia; specificity.

Published
2020-01-21
How to Cite
RisalA., GiriE., ShresthaO., ManandharS., KunwarD., AmatyaR., ManandharN., ManandharK., & HolenA. (2020). Nepali Version of Geriatric Depression Scale-15 – A Reliability and Validation Study. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 17(4), 506-511. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v17i4.1984