Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression Among Students in the Akwapim South District

Abstract

Background: Cases of depression and its resultant effect have been reported in different times at different levels. For instance, in early 2022, graphiconline.com reported a case of a depressed man who committed suicide for fear of the future which is unknown. Similar cases of depression and its consequences have been reported from different parts of the Eastern Region with a few in Akwapim South. Unfortunately, detail assessment of the prevailing situation in the region and specifically in Akwapim South has not been done to estimate the prevalence of depression among in-school adolescents. Aim: The main objective of the study is to determine the factors that are associated with depression among in-school adolescents in Akwapim South district. Method: The study employed a cross-sectional in-school survey as the main study design. Adolescents who were aged 10-24 years and were in Junior and Senior High Schools comprised the study participants. Simple random sampling method was employed to select adolescents at different levels. Regression analysis to determine association between factors and depression was conducted using STATA version 17.0. The results were obtained at 95% confidence level. Results: The mean age of the in-school adolescents was 16.4 years (± 2.0 SD). Of the study participants, 57.3% had minimal depression, 30.9% had mild depression, 6.3% moderately depressed, 4.0% had moderately severe depression while 1.5% had severe depression. The prevalence of depression among the adolescents was therefore computed to be 11.8%. After controlling for all significant variables, age (AOR = 7.13, 95% CI: 1.58, 32.23), sex (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.38, 9.63), smoking (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.30, 15.15), access to learning materials (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.27, 5.87), family history of depression (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.58) and marital abuse (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.08) were factors that influenced the rate of depression among the adolescents. Conclusion: The study observed relatively lower rate of depression among in-school adolescents. There were however some of the adolescents who had either severe or moderately severe depressive condition. Factors such as socio-demographic, environmental and behavioural conditions contributed to the outcome of the adolescent depressive conditions. Strengthening counselling units at the various schools by the District Directorate of Education of Akwapim South is critical in addressing challenges of depression among in-school adolescents. The school and the home environment play significant influence in the life of an adolescent. Adolescents at their early formative stage needs a conducive environment to grow and develop.