CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of the Study
Depression is a mood or emotional condition that is characterized by a sense of worthlessness or guilt and a diminished capacity to appreciate life, according to psychology. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or pessimism; diminished self-esteem and increased self-depreciation; a decrease or loss of ability to enjoy routine activities; tiredness and vitality; slowness of thought or action; a lack of appetite; and disturbed sleep or insomnia are common symptoms of depression (Britannica, 2023).
According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Mental disorders account for three of the top ten causes of disability in individuals aged 15 to 44, and the other causes are frequently linked to mental disorders (Yusuf et al., 2013). An array of genetic, social, psychological, and environmental factors interacts to cause the common and severe mental disease of depression (Ahmed et al., 2020).
Depression is becoming more and more commonplace on a global scale. The most serious public health issues are depressive disorders, which are linked to significant disability, comorbidity, bad quality of life, and high mortality. It has an impact on social, cultural, educational, and commercial life as well as people's capacity to engage in local affairs suicide and attempted suicide are also risks associated with depression in young adults (Kiros and Berhe 2019; Mojs et al., 2012; Teh et al., 2015; Pataki et al., 2015; David et al., 2013). According to the World Health Organization, depression is the primary factor in nearly 800,000 suicide fatalities each year. Although there are many effective treatment options, this condition is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated (Nasir and Al-Qutob, 2005). As a result, depression still affects 4.4% of people worldwide and 5.4% of people in Africa, making it a serious public health issue. Globally, 322 million individuals are impacted by it. In Africa, women (5.9%) experience depression more frequently than men (4.9%), as in other parts of the globe.
According to estimates, 3.1% of Nigerians suffer from depression. Globally, the estimated incidence of depression rose by 49.86%, from 172 million cases in 1990 to 258 million cases in 2017, with a notable rise of 124.42% in Western sub-Saharan Africa ( Liu et al., 2020).
Depression affects people from all walks of life and young people in universities are not exempt from its effects. According to a recent study, reported prevalence rates for depression among undergraduate students varied from 10% to 85%, with a weighted mean prevalence of 30.6%. (Ibrahim et al.,, 2013). It is hypothesized that depression rates among university students are significantly higher than those observed in the general populace (Ibrahim et al., 2013).
In Asia, a follow-up survey and analysis based on 1401 undergraduates in China over four straight years revealed that 20% to 40% of undergraduates experienced depression, anxiety, and stress to varying degrees, with 35% of them experiencing higher depression levels than the general population (Liu et al., 2019). An online study of 7915 first-year students at Hong Kong University in China found that 21%, 41%, and 27% of participants had moderate/severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. These numbers were significantly higher than the national average for these conditions (Wong et al., 2016).
Among 15859 college students in six ASEAN nations (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam), the median incidence rate for depression was 29.4%, and 7% to 8% of students committed suicide. However, in spite of the elevated rate of mental illness, the students' readiness to seek assistance from professionals was significantly low. (Dessauvagie et al., 2022). Moderate depression, anxiety, and tension affected 53.6%, 65.7%, and 34.3%, respectively of 642 Saudi college students (Bahhawi et al., 2018).
In Africa, 37% of Egyptian undergraduate students met the criteria for moderate depression (Ibrahim et al., 2012). 23.6% of university students in Ethiopia displayed signs of depression (Terasaki et al., 2009).
Moreso, Aniebue and Onyema (2008) discovered a prevalence of depression of 23.3% among 262 medical students from the University of Nigeria. In another sample of Nigerian university students, 101 (8.3%) students met the criteria for depressive disorder, with 68 (5.6%) having a minor depressive disorder and 33 (2.7%) having a major depressive disorder (Adewuya et al., 2006).
While being in the university can be one of the best periods of a student's life, it can also turn out to be one of the hardest. Depressive disorders are therefore frequent severe issues. Students might feel alone and overburdened due to being away from home, having a lot of work to do, and experiencing homesickness.
Additionally, some students might experience money challenges for the first time ever. These changes have been identified as risk factors for the onset of depression, which is linked to a number of serious issues in undergraduate students, including academic success, suicidal ideation, drug abuse, and acute infectious diseases (Dabana and Gobir, 2018).
According to some studies, female undergraduate students are much more likely to experience depression than male students (Simi-Vukomanovi et al., 2016; Christensson et al., 2011). The possible mechanism is due to physiological differences between the sexes (such as genetic susceptibility, hormone, and cortisol levels), variations in self-concept, and various socially prescribed roles that result in various emotional reactions and behavioral patterns. Males tend to externalize their negative emotions by smoking and abusing booze, whereas females are more likely to internalize them (Seedat et al. 2009; Rith-Najarian et al., 2019; Mackenzie et al., 2006).
Although some studies found the difference to be insignificant, the majority of studies discovered substantial variations in college students' levels of depression throughout their educational careers. Graduation year is a crucial time for people to continue their education or enter society, and students must deal with a variety of new stressors during this time, including graduation pressure, pressure from grades and applications to other institutions, challenges in planning their future careers, and employment discrimination in the job market. Furthermore, some studies have indicated that depression may be more common among undergraduates with lower GPAs.
Nonetheless, the lifestyle choices made by undergraduate students, such as a lack of regular physical activity, substance abuse, unhealthy sleeping patterns, such as drowsiness, poor sleep quality, and short or long sleep duration, as well as an excessive intake of high-fat snacks, margarine/butter/meat fat, and a deficiency in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, are equally responsible for their depression issues. Additionally, linked to depressive illnesses are overeating and skipping breakfast, particularly in men.
According to pertinent research, internet use is linked to depression in undergraduate students. Depression is more likely to affect people with online addiction and dependence. The relationship between social networks and depression, particularly the excessive use of social media, is, however, becoming more widely acknowledged (Lui et al. 2022).
Other contributing factors include: experiencing parental violence (Nicodimos et al., 2009), gender-based violence, addictive behavior, such as heavy drinking (Adewuya et al., 2006), smoking (Adewuya, 2006; Adewuya et al., 2006), other health risk behavioural patterns, such as sedentary lifestyle (Taliaferro et al., 2009), being overweight or obese (Wilson et al., 2012; Zhao et al., 2009), HIV risk behaviors (Agardh et al., 2012; Lundberg et al., 2011), sleeping issues (Angelone et al., 2011), nonfatal accidental injuries (Chen et al., 2005), and use of skin whitening products (Ladizinski et al., 2011). A lack of social support (Kim, 2001), religion or spirituality (Berry and York, 2011), a lack of control (Steptoe et al., 2007), and poor academic achievement are some examples of social variables (Yusoff, 2013).
Undergraduate psychological morbidity in is a significant issue that has been ignored in the field of public health. Understanding how this underappreciated public health issue affects one's scholastic achievement and likelihood of career success is crucial for maximizing life quality (Dabana and Gobir, 2018). Thus, determining the prevalence of depression among Nigerian university freshmen is the purpose of this research (Dabana and Gobir, 2018).
1.2 Aim of The Study
The study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of depression among university students in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study's specific objectives goals were:
- To investigate the frequency of depression among Nigerian university undergraduates.
- To determine the effects of depression among Nigerian university undergraduates.
- Identify the contributing causes of depression in Nigerian university undergraduates.
- To identify the methods used to handle and prevent depression in Nigerian university students.
1.4 Statement of the Problem
Students who attend universities frequently struggle with depression. Beginning the undergraduate years typically falls during a crucial transitional period from adolescence to early adulthood. Academic demands, lifestyle changes, living away from home, inadequate housing conditions, emotional and physical issues, and financial difficulties are just a few of the typical stressors that plague this time of life (Anozike et al., 2022).
Additionally, university students may experience stress due to exam anxiety, expectation to perform well, and an uncertain future (Fauzi et al., 2021). Many students are not ready for college living. Students today have significant loans. Also, they have fewer employment options than earlier groups after graduation. University students are more prone to depressive episodes due to these and other difficulties they encounter.
Depression affects students negatively and is crippling. Student performance can be hampered by mental health issues that impact their level of vigor, focus, dependability, mental capacity, and optimism. According to research, depression and anxiety co-occurring can strengthen the link between depression and lower grade point averages. Dropping out of school has also been associated with depression.
Many college students claim that their academics are hampered by mental health issues. According to the American College Health Association's 2015 survey, stress (30% of students), anxiety (22%), sleep problems (20%), and depression (14%), among other mental health conditions, had a negative effect on college students' academic performance over the previous year (Eisenberg et al., 2009).
In addition to having an adverse effect on the individual, depression can also have significant effects on a student's interpersonal interactions, institutions, communities, and society as a whole. According to Venta et al. (2014), depression severely harms people's ability to form and maintain connections with others, which leads to isolation and mental illness. Therefore, depressed people are likely to be unhappy, unpleasant, negative, uncomfortable, low self-esteemed, and passive, just like university students. Therefore, depression may be linked to a lack of understanding of one's own emotions, which could harm interpersonal interactions.
Campuses are burdened more when mentally ill students perform badly on assignments, take their own lives, or stop attending school. Tuition fee, and alumni contribution losses can result from low student retention.
When students are unable to complete their degrees and provide useful skills in a cutthroat job market, the community suffers. According to one survey, 5% of students drop out of school because of mental health issues, and 4.29 million more would have completed their degrees if they hadn't been dealing with these issues (Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2020).
1.5 Justification of the Study
Studies on the prevalence of depression among undergraduate students in Nigeria are rare; in addition, depression has been documented combined with other disorders, and only a few variables were covered in the prior research. In order to fully investigate the issue and formulate crucial recommendations, it is imperative to study depression in university undergraduates in Nigeria.
Additionally, the results of this study will be crucial for university officials and other stakeholders to screen and offer mental health services on campus, as well as for interested academics to conduct additional research using various study designs.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of the study covers the prevalence of depression among undergraduate students in Nigeria. Data for the study will be obtained from Nigerian undergraduate students.
REFERENCES
Adewuya A. (2006). Prevalence of major depressive disorder in Nigerian college students with alcohol-related problems. General Hospital Psychiatry, 28(2), 169–173.
Adewuya, A., Ola, B., Aloba, O., Mapayi, B., and Oginni, O. (2006). Depression amongst Nigerian university students: Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates. Social Psychiatry Psychiatric Epidemiology, 41(8), 674–678.
Agardh, A., Cantor-Graae, E., and Ostergren, O. (2012). Youth, sexual risk-taking behavior, and mental health: A study of university students in Uganda. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 19(2), 208–216.
Ahmed, G., Negash, A., Kerebih, H., Alemu, D., and Tesfaye, Y. (2020). Prevalence and associated factors of depression among Jimma University students. A cross-sectional study. International journal of mental health systems, 14, 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00384-
