Prevalence of depression in a university population

To determine the prevalence of depression in a university student population attending the Unitra Health Service and further compare the prevalence rate according to gender, age group and presenting complaint.

The sampling was carried out at the University of Transkei Health Service (UHS), Umtata. Two hundred and fifty students were randomly selected over a two month period during their first visit to the health centre for various ailments including family planning. Each student was given the 21-item Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire to fill at their own leisure time.

The results of the study demonstrated a high prevalence of depression among the selected student population. BDI scores showed a total percentage of mild to severe depression to be 53%. BDI scores also showed that depression affects all age groups in this population with females being more affected than males at the ratio 3:1. All moderately and severely depressed students (14%) presented with somatic symptoms of headache and stomachache. None of these depressed students were diagnosed as being depressed by the UHS staff.

Depression occurs more in females than males; it affects all age groups; is difficult to diagnose, even when it is severe, because of its somatic presentation.

UHS nursing staff as well as students should be educated about depression to improve recognition and diagnosis. This recommendation applies to all nurses working at primary health care centres.