Prevalence of depression in a university population

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression in a university student population attending the Unitra Health Service and further compare the prevalence rate according to gender, age group and presenting complaint.

Method: The sampling was carried out at the University of Transkei Health Service (UHS), Umtata. Two hundred and fifty students were randomly selected over a two month period during their first visit to the health centre for various ailments including family planning. Each student was given the 21-item Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire to fill at their own leisure time.

Results: The results of the study demonstrated a high prevalence of depression among the selected student population. BDI scores showed a total percentage of mild to severe depression to be 53%. BDI scores also showed that depression affects all age groups in this population with females being more affected than males at the ratio 3:1. All moderately and severely depressed students (14%) presented with somatic symptoms of headache and stomachache. None of these depressed students were diagnosed as being depressed by the UHS staff.

Conclusion: Depression occurs more in females than males; it affects all age groups; is difficult to diagnose, even when it is severe, because of its somatic presentation.

Recommendation: UHS nursing staff as well as students should be educated about depression to improve recognition and diagnosis. This recommendation applies to all nurses working at primary health care centres.