Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression Among Undergraduate Health Students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background
Depression is a common mental disorder, it is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease, and has been associated with suicidal tendencies even among students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression among undergraduate health students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 363 undergraduate health sciences students selected by stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analysed using the IBM SPSS version 22 computer statistical software package.

Results
The mean age of the respondents was 23.39 ± 3.44 years. About a third, 105 (30.0%) of the 363 respondents were depressed. Of these, 84 (80%) had mild depression, while about a fifth (21%) had moderate to severe depression. The factors that were found to be associated with depression were respondents' course of study, history of major life events, history of chronic illness, having a family or social problem, concerns about future career, staying off campus, not having family support, not engaging in regular physical exercise, and having less than 50% punctuality at lectures.

Conclusion
This study showed a relatively high prevalence of depression among the respondents, and it was associated with their social lifestyle, medical history, and accommodation problems. The primary care facility in the University and family practice physicians should routinely screen undergraduate health students for depression, and the University management should provide adequate accommodation and promote healthy social lifestyles among them (such as participating in extracurricular activities and engaging in regular physical exercise).