Prevalence and associated factors of depression among students in jimma university main campus

Abstract

Background: -University students are highly trained and expected to transform a country of their origin by providing mentally healthy work however worldwide they are at risk for mental health disorders particularly to depression in which its prevalence range from 8.1%-43.4%. Depressed students missed classes, assignments, exams and course. Despite this startling magnitude and its impact on performance there is scarce information in Jimma University. Objective: - This study aimed to assess the prevalence rate of depression and associated factors among regular students at Jimma university main campus in 2016. Method: - Institutional-based multistage stratified cross-sectional study design was conducted among 556 students. A structured Self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic, economic and environmental data and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to screen depression. Collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS V.20). Obtained data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics. Bivariate analysis was used to see the significance of association. Variable that shows association in bivariate analysis was entered to multivariate logistic regressions to control for confounders and the significance of association was determined by 95% confidence interval and p-value <0.05. Result: Nearly one third of the participants (n=157, 28.2%) had depression. Having family member with mental illness (OR= 2.307, 95%CI=1.055-5.049), college of Social science and humanity (OR=2.582, 95%CI=1.332-5.008), having sex after drinking (OR=3.722, 95%CI=1.818-7.619), being hit by sexual partner (OR=3.132, 95%CI=1.561-6.283), childhood emotional abuse (OR=2.167, 95%CI=1.169-4.017), monthly pocket money between500- 999(ETB) (OR=0.450, 95%CI=0.204-0.995), promoted acedamic performance (OR=2.912, 95%CI=1.063-7.975) had significant association with depression. Conclusion:-This study has shown that the prevalence of depression among university students was high. College of social science and humanity, being hit by sexual partner, having family members with mental illness, lower pocket money, poor acaedamic perforformance, having sex after drinking and childhood emotional abuse have an impact on the prevalence of depression. Further study is needed to assess impact of depression and its possible intervention.