Abstract:
Background: depression among adolescents is a major public health issue because of the seemly high prevalence, possibility of reoccurring and the damage of functioning in the affected person. About 5% of global prevalence rate of major depression is estimated to be among children 10-17. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms, associated factors among 537 adolescents (10-19 years) in senior High Schools in the La Dadekotopon Municipality. Respondents were systematically selected using their school’s register. Data were collected with the use of a standard depressive symptom assessment tool, the Kutcher Adolescent Depressive Scale (KAD-11) and analyzed quantitatively using STATA software (version 15). A p-value of <0’05 was assumed was used to determine statistical significance, while odds ratio and their 95% confidence interval were used to assess the strength of association.
Results: the prevalence of high depressive symptom was 41% (95% Cl: 0.367-0.450). the prevalence was higher among (43.9%. CI: 0.381-498) females and also among adolescents aged 17 and above (44%. CI: 0.391-0.503) and those with unemployed parents (70.5%. CI: 0.553-0.821). risk factors found to be significantly associated with depressive symptoms were relationship with caregivers not cordial (AOR: 3.77. 95%.CI: 1.56-9.13), needs rarely met (AOR: 2.60, 95%CI:1.00-7.05, p<0.05), poor academic performance (AOR: 9.32, 95%.CI: 1.2.83-30.66, p<0.05).
Conclusion: the major factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms were family, individual and school related. Thus, interventions should be implemented in comprehensive screening and programs in schools to diagnose those vulnerable students early, offer immediate treatment and give the appropriate support.
Male Partner Involvement In Family Planning In Ga Central Municipality In The Greater Accra Region Of Ghana.
