Prevalence of major depressive disorders and a validation of the Beck Depression Inventory among Nigerian adolescents

Abstract

Aim: The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in a representative sample of Nigerian adolescents, and to assess the validity of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in screening for depressive symptoms among adolescent population in Nigeria.

Method: A total of 1095 adolescents aged 13-18 years attending senior secondary schools completed the BDI. The presence of MDD in the adolescents was assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children-Epidemiological Version 5 (K-SADS-E).

Result: The prevalence of MDD was 6.9%. (male = 5.5%, female = 8.9%). The difference between the rates for MDD in males and females was statistically significant (P = 0.028), but no age or age-gender-interaction difference was found. The BDI has good psychometric properties in screening for depression in adolescents. At a cut off score of 18 and above, the BID has a sensitivity of 0.91, specificity of 0.97, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.88 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.98.

Conclusion: The prevalence of MDD in Nigerian adolescents is comparable to those found in western culture and the BDI is a valid instrument for screening for MDD among Nigerian adolescents. Health policies in developing countries must integrate adolescents' depression as a disorder of public health significance.