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Review
. 2013:2013:373857.
doi: 10.1155/2013/373857. Epub 2013 Sep 25.

Prevalence of Depression among University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study

Diana Sarokhani  1 , Ali Delpisheh, Yousef Veisani, Mohamad Taher Sarokhani, Rohollah Esmaeli Manesh, Kourosh Sayehmiri
Affiliations
Review

Prevalence of Depression among University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study

Diana Sarokhani et al. Depress Res Treat. 2013.

Abstract

Introduction. Depression is one of the four major diseases in the world and is the most common cause of disability from diseases. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depression among Iranian university students using meta-analysis method. Materials and Methods. Keyword depression was searched in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, MAGIran, Medlib, and SID. Data was analyzed using meta-analysis (random-effects model). Heterogeneity of studies was assessed using the I (2) index. Data was analyzed using STATA software Ver.10. Results. In 35 studies conducted in Iran from 1995 to 2012 with sample size of 9743, prevalence of depression in the university students was estimated to be 33% (95% CI: 32-34). The prevalence of depression among boys was estimated to be 28% (95% CI: 26-30), among girls 23% (95% CI: 22-24), single students 39% (95% CI: 37-41), and married students 20% (95% CI: 17-24). Metaregression model showed that the trend of depression among Iranian students was flat. Conclusions. On the whole, depression is common in university students with no preponderance between males and females and in single students is higher than married ones.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Results of the systematic literature search.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plots of student depression for random effects meta-analyses. (Squares represent effect estimates of individual studies with their 95% confidence intervals of depression with size of squares proportional to the weight assigned to the study in the meta-analysis. The diamond represents the overall result and 95% confidence interval of the random-effects meta-analysis.)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plots of student depression for subgroups analysis (forest plot (a) depression among male students, (b) among female students, (c) among single students, and (d) among married students).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Meta-regression plots of change in depression according to changes in continuous study moderator's sample size.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Meta-regression plots of change in depression according to changes in continuous study moderator's year.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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