Warming climate attitudes and depression in Caucasian Georgian elderly: An epidemiological survey

Problem considered Elderly in post-soviet Georgia are vulnerable toward warming climate and depression. The paper aimed to study the associations between knowledge, sensibility and attitudes toward heat waves and depression in elderly, in a geographically remarkable country, rarely investigated. Method A survey on 1000 persons aged 65 years and older, randomized in three contrasted areas: Tbilisi (capital), Batumi (coastal), and Telavi (mountain), on urban and rural settlements. Interviews were conducted face to face; climate questions covered: concerns, sensitivity to heat, adjustments, and information. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to measure depression. Results 47.20.% of the elderly were truly concerned by heat waves, 49.89% sensitive to heat, 56.31% only well informed on preventive measures, 52.77% reported adjusting their behavior during a heatwave. 71.48% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms; 14.91% severe. Place of residence is very much associated with each of the variables: elderly living in Tbilisi differed from those living in Batumi or Telavi: they were more informed, less concerned, less sensitive and less prone to change behaviors. In multivariate analyses, depressive symptoms were very much associated with warming attitudes: those depressed had higher concerns OR = 2.34, sensitivity to heat OR = 2.93, were much less informed OR = 0.27 and prone to change according to heat OR = 2.22. Conclusions Elderly population is fragile to warming climate, but many elderly are not aware and no informed about preventive attitudes; in addition they are often suffering from depression which amplifies their risks of health warming consequences. A global, multi-dimensional approach, integrating social, psychological, environmental and infrastructural factors is needed for adapting to global warming.