THE PREVALANCE AND ASSOCIATED CAUSAL FACTORS OF DEPRESSION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS THE CASE OF HAWASSA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS

Abstract

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviors, feelings and sense of well-being over two weeks .The Aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences students. Cross-sectional study design was used. The sample size was 342 calculated using single population proportion formulla. Samples were selected by using stratified sampling techniques, to determine the number of students from the single department of each batch proportional allocation to the total students was used. Finally, simple random sampling technique was used to select the determined number of students from each batch. Socio economic data were collected by questionnaire. Beck’s depression inventory tools was used to determine the depression level of the students. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed by SPSS 25. Mean and frequency was used to describe the prevalence and other descriptive variables. While bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. A significance level was set at p<0.01. The result revealed the prevalence of depression among students was 28%. Presence of medical history, drug use, drink alcohol, self-esteem, self-confidence, and social support were predictors to students’ depression. Hence the college higher officials should design and implement strategies to enhance counseling services and promote prevention strategies for depression by reducing substance use strengthening social support and boosting the self-esteem and confidence strategies.