Depression among students of a Nigerian University: Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates

Abstract

Background: Depression is a common health problem, ranking third after cardiac and respiratory diseases and several sociodemographic factors were found to be associated with it. It is prevalent among university students worldwide. This study assessed its prevalence and the sociodemographic factors associated with it among students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted among 127 undergraduate students of ABU. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and were analyzed using IBM-Statistical Software for Social Sciences, version 20.0. Results: Results indicated that 58.2% had depression, with 37.0%, 15.7%, 3.9%, and 1.6% having mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. Sociodemographic factors (such as gender and age) were not found to be associated with depression among respondents (P = 0.964 and 0.246, respectively). Conclusion: Depression, at different levels of severity, was observed among respondents. Counseling and screening services for depression should be conducted on all new students entering the university. The treatment of depression should be made easily accessible to affected students. Further research on non-sociodemographic factors that could predispose to depression is recommended.