A Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety and Depression in a Cohort of Nigerian Undergraduates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30442/ahr.1101-03-267Keywords:
Anxiety, Depression, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Undergraduates, Mental HealthAbstract
Background: Globally, there is a rising concern regarding the increased prevalence of mental disorders among university students, as studies have demonstrated a significant clinical measure of psychiatric morbidities among undergraduates worldwide. Sadly, there is a paucity of data on the burden of mental illness among undergraduates in Nigeria, and undergraduate students' mental health problems have not received the requisite public attention in Nigeria and many other countries.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and the correlation between anxiety and depression in a cohort of Nigerian undergraduate students.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 877 undergraduates at Bowen University Hospital in Iwo Osun State, Nigeria, between October 2022 and May 2023.
Results: 14.9%, 10.4%, and 1.9% of undergraduate students had mild, moderate, and severe anxiety disorders, respectively. Similarly, 11.2%, 5.1%, and 0.5% of students had mild, moderate, and severe depression, respectively. The study showed a strong positive correlation between anxiety disorders and depression among undergraduate students.
Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. There is a need for concerned authorities to have a blueprint for an efficient mental health support structure and ensure adequate training of personnel at university health centres.
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