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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Feb;99(6):e18774.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000018774.

Efficacy of guided internet-assisted intervention on depression reduction among educational technology students of Nigerian universities

Theresa Onyema Ofoegbu  1 , Uche Asogwa  1 , Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu  2 , Christopher Ibenegbu  1 , Abdullahi Muhammed  1 , Ben Eze  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of guided internet-assisted intervention on depression reduction among educational technology students of Nigerian universities

Theresa Onyema Ofoegbu et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Background/objective: The study's objective was to determine the efficacy of guided internet-assisted intervention (GIAI) on depression reduction among educational technology students of Nigerian universities.

Methods: The design of the study was a 10-weeks group-randomized trial (GRT) which involved a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessment. A total of 192 educational technology students who were identified as having depression formed the sample of the study. Beck's Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was the measure used for data collection in the study. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures.

Results: The initial assessment results showed that the participants in both treatment and usual-care control groups had depression. After 10-weeks participation in GIAI, the assessment results showed a significant reduction in depression among students in the treatment group when compared to those in the usual-care control group. The follow-up assessment indicated a further significant reduction in the depression among participants in the treatment group when compared to those in the usual-care control group.

Conclusion: The authors concluded that GIAI was significantly effective in reducing depression among university students in the treatment group compared to those in the usual-care control group. Therefore, educational technologists, counselors, psychologists, health workers, and other social workers should adopt educational intervention using GIAI in helping university students undergo depression reduction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram: This legend shows the distribution of participants into the treatment and control groups.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graphical representation of results. This legend shows graphical presentation result.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bar chart. This legend shows the bar chart of the results.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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