FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPRESSION AND HELP SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

Depression is one of the significant contributor to the global burden of disease that affect people in all communities across the world and adolescents are not left out. Although, depression among adolescents is well known in other countries, little is known about the magnitude of depression and factors influencing depression among Nigerian adolescents and their help-seeking behaviour for depression. This study was therefore designed to identify factors influencing depression among adolescents in Ibadan North Local Government Area (IBNLGA)and their help seeking behaviour. The study was a cross-sectional survey. A three stage sampling technique was adopted in selecting 283 students from 12 secondary schools out of the 42 government owned secondary schools in (IBNLGA). Data were collected using validated questionnaire which contained the adapted Beck Depression Inventory II used in measuring depression as well as 12-point knowledge, 9-point attitude, 8-point perceived severity and 10-point perceived benefits scales. A total score 0-9 indicated absence of depression, score between 10-18 indicated mild depression, score between 19-29 indicated moderate depression while score between 30- 63 indicated severe depression. Knowledge score > 8 was categorised as good while attitude score > 5 was categorized as good. A score >4 was categorised as positive perception of severity of depression and score >5 was categorised as positive perception of benefits of help-seeking. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and infrential statistics of Chi-square and logistic regression with level of significance set at 5%. Respondents’ age was 15.6 ± 1.2 years. Mean knowledge score was 4.6 ± 1.9 with 70.3% having poor knowledge of depression. There is no significant association between knowledge of depression and help-seeking behaviour for depression among the respondents.The mean attitude score was 4.3 ± 1.5 with 79.9% having negative attitude towards depression. More than half (56.2%) of the respondents have depression, of these, 22.9% had mild depression, 21.5% are moderately depressed while 11.8% are severely depressed. Depression among male respondents was found to be 29.0% while 27.2% of the female respondents had depression. Negative self perception and poor family relationship was found to be the factors influencing depression among the respondents. However, these factors did not predict depression among the respondents. Help was sought for depression from informal sources such as parents (67.7%), friends (50.2%), religious leaders (35.%), and family members (33.3%). Few (22.2%) indicated that they sought help from a mental health professional while 17.9% did not seek help at all for depression. The cost of treatment for depression was significantly associated with help-seeking among respondents. Depression was found among adolescents studied and inadequate knowledge of depression exist. Inappropriate help-seeking behaviour is practiced among study repondents. Curriculum intergration of mental health literacy is recommended to facilitate identification of symptoms of depression and promotion of appropriate help seeking among adolescents. Schools should be provided with mental health professionals to whom adolescents can seek help when depressed. Also, public enlightment on depression will help to inform parents, religious leaders and other individuals involved in adolescents’ health.