Adolescent Depressive Disorders                        Orient Journal of Medicine             Vol 33 [1-2] Jan-June, 2021
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Depressive Disorders Among In-School Adolescents: How Prevalent in Anambra State, Nigeria?  
Ahoma V MBANUZURU1
Richard UWAKWE2
Prosper OU ADOGU1
Chinomnso C NNEBUE1
Ifeoma B UDIGWE1
Chinyere M MBANUZURU3

1Department of Community Medicine
2Department of Mental Health
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Teaching Hospital Nnewi
Anambra State, NIGERIA

3Department of Animal Production
Ministry of Agriculture Awka
Anambra State, NIGERIA

Author for Correspondence
Dr Ahoma V MBANUZURU
Department of Community Medicine
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Teaching Hospital Nnewi
Anambra State, NIGERIA

Phone: +234 806 327 9078
Email: mvahoma@gmail.com
av.mbanuzuru@unizik.edu.ng

Received: July 31st, 2020
Accepted: October 16th, 2020

DISCLOSURE
All the authors declare no conflict of interest, finance or otherwise.
ABSTRACT

Background: Depressive disorders are the leading causes of ill-health and disability globally. Depression among adolescents is usually associated with a range of adverse later outcomes which include suicidality, and general poor physical and mental health.
Objective: To determine and compare the prevalence of depressive disorders among in-school adolescents in urban and rural areas of Anambra State.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional analytical study of urban and rural in-school adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 1187 secondary school adolescents in government-owned schools in Anambra State was selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was the study instrument.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 15±2 years. The overall prevalence of depression was 12.5%. The proportion of urban participants identified with depression was significantly higher than that of their rural counterparts (14.5% versus 9.6%). Multiple regression showed that increased odds of developing depression are associated with urban setting (p = 0.001), female gender (p=0.018), and late adolescence (p=0.025).
Conclusion: This study showed that depressive disorders are prevalent among in-school adolescents in Anambra State, with some of the associated factors being urban setting, female gender and late adolescence. There is need for multi-sectoral intervention programs to address these identified factors.

Key Words: In-school adolescents, Depressive disorders, Nigeria, Urban-rural, Patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)