Study on the relationship between indoor ventilation frequency and anxiety and depression symptoms in the elderly: based on the data of 2018 CLHLS

Abstract Background Objective To investigate the correlation between indoor ventilation frequency and symptoms of depression and anxiety in the elderly. Methods A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the effects of indoor ventilation frequency on depression and anxiety by using data from the 2018 Chinese Elderly Health Influencing Factors Survey (CLHLS). Results A total of 9 690 elderly patients with an average age of (83.20±11.269) years were included, including 4 458 males (46.0%) and 5 232 females (54.0%). The average score of indoor ventilation frequency was (6.06±1.980) points, including 770 people (7.9%) with low frequency, 3 066 people (31.6%) with medium frequency and 5 854 people (60.4%) with high frequency. 842 (8.7%) had symptoms of depression and 204 (2.1%) had symptoms of anxiety. Indoor ventilation frequency and depressive symptoms (OR(95%CI)=1.924 (1.504~2.461), 1.508 (1.272~1.787); P < 0.001) was positively correlated with anxiety symptoms, but not significantly correlated with anxiety symptoms. Conclusion Indoor ventilation frequency is related to depressive symptoms in the elderly. Communities and families should pay more attention to indoor ventilation and intervene in time to promote and improve the mental health of the elderly.