OBJECTIVES: to identify depression in the elderly enrolled at the Senior Citizens Open University, a program of the Federal University of Pernambuco, considering demographic, social and economic variables. METHODS: epidemiological, descriptive, cross sectional cohort study. A census comprising 358 elderly subjects being 312 women and 46 men (>60 yr) through the Brasil Old Age Schedule (BOAS) was completed from which the section related to mental health was selected focusing on depression variables such as loneliness, sadness, listlessness, pessimistic view of the future, irritation, selfaccusa RESULTS: an important depression percentage was determined (24.02%) in the population under study, the majority of which, between 70-79 years old, female and single. A significant association between low education level and depression was established. Depression cases had relevant connection with distress, headache, listlessness, irritation, sadness and dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: depression among the subjects of the study demonstrates the need for the Program to consider actions directed towards participants' health, particularly depression related mental disorders.
Depression; Aged; Epidemiology
