Assessing Burden of Depressive Disorders Among School-Going Adolescents of a District in North Karnataka

Chandrika Doddihal; Shailaja Patil; Shivakumar Chaukimath

doi:10.55489/njcm.161120255658

Authors

Chandrika Doddihal Department of Community Medicine, Shri BM Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura, India
Shailaja Patil Department of Community Medicine, Shri BM Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura, India
Shivakumar Chaukimath Department of Psychiatry, Shri BM Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.161120255658

Keywords:

Adolescent, School going, Depression, PHQ9

Abstract

Background: Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, is a growing age characterized by physical, emotional and social variations. India with the world’s leading teenage population, has a substantial problem of undiagnosed and untreated cases of depression. This study hence aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression amongst school-going adolescents in North Karnataka.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 adolescents from schools of a District in North Karnataka. Students were assessed for depression through validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Results: The adolescent depression prevalence was 26.6%, with the majority (86.7%) experiencing mild depression. Statistically significant associations (p<0.05) were observed between depression and socio demographic variables such as rural residence, school type(government), birth order (third or higher), parental or personal substance use, recent stressful events, and conflictual home or school environments.

Conclusion: The study reveals a concerning burden of depression among school going adolescents, particularly among those facing environmental and psychosocial stressors. There is a crucial necessity for school-based mental health interventions, awareness among teachers and parents and proactive identification and support mechanisms.

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