PREVALANCE, KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF DEPRESSION AMONG FIRST YEAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Depression is a mental disorder, characterised by sadness, loss of interest, tiredness and poor concentration. The transition from secondary schools to the university can be a highly stressful period for the adolescent and young adults, as they experience a double transition mentally and institutionally which may have negative impact on students and possibly lead to suicide. Knowledge on depressive signs is essential as it aids prevention of depression and promotes student’s mental health condition. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence, knowledge and perception of depression among first year undergraduate students in the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three hundred and three (303) First Year Undergraduate Students from the University of Ibadan. A self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on respondents’ socio-demographics, knowledge, perceived causes, experience and perception of depression. A 12-point knowledge scale was used to assess knowledge on depression; a knowledge score (KS) of <5 was rated poor, KS of 5-8 was rated fair while KS>8 was rated good. Also, perception was assessed using a11-Point Perception Scale, a perception score of <4 was rated as poor perception, 4-7 was rated as fair, while >7 was rated as good perception. A 76-point Zung depression scale was adopted in this study to assess the experience of depression. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as regression, Chi-square and Fisher’s exact analysis at p<0.05 level of significance. Mean age of the respondents was 18.3±2.3years, 50.6% were male and92.7% were single. Respondents’ knowledge on depression shows that some(48.5%) had good knowledge, while (9.6%) had poor knowledge. Romantic relationship (38.3%), low self-esteem (54.1%) and trouble from home (56.1%) were the most identified perceived cause of depression. A few (21.1%) experienced mild depression and 1.7% experienced severe depression. Majority (57%) had good perception of depression and (11%) had poor perception. Majority indicated that they spoke to their pastors/priest (45%), used antidepressant (51.2%) and prayed to God (70%) when they experienced depression. There was a significant association between respondents’ knowledge and perception of depression (X2 =28.185, df =4; p=0.000). Also, there is a significant relationship between romantic relationship (X2 =11.893; p <.0.05), insecurity (X2 =16.589; p <0.05), trouble from home (X2 = 13.001; p <0.05), not being able to make friends (X2 =20.801; p<0.05), and too much academic stress (X2 = 6.84; p<0.05) and the experience of depression. Regression analysis shows that family background and academic stress were more significant to the experience of depression among the respondents. Many of the respondents had good perception and knowledge. Irrespective of the level of depression experienced, majority of the respondents coped by speaking to their pastor and priest and making supplications to God. It was therefore recommended that more awareness programmes to orient young adults on the right decision making and management of depression in order to improve the quality of their mental health.