A Cross Sectional Study on Prevalence of Depression Among Adolescents and Its Associated Factors in Ruralarea of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Adolescents are generally considered healthy people in the community and their health aspects are usually neglected. Adolescent population is nearly 1.3 billion worldwide accounting to 16% of the world population (UNICEF). Suicide is the fourth leading causes of death among 15-29 years old. Aim: To assess the prevalence of depression among adolescents in Rural area of AP, to determine factors associated with depression and to assess need for motivational speakers/ school psychologists visit to schools. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study done among adolescents in V.kota region of AP,7 schools and the participants in the school were selected by simple random sampling technique, and after taking written consent, participants were interviewed using questionnaire which consists of sociodemographic details, risk factors assumed to be associated with depression, Becks Depression Inventory, students opinion on the need for motivational speakers and psychologists visit to schools and statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Result: In this study, the prevalence of depression among adolescents was 2.7% and 28.57% (2/7), 57.14% (4/7) and 14.28% (1/7) of the depressed individuals have been found to have Mild, Borderline and Moderate depression. Factors like birth order, family history, family environment, stressful events like interpersonal losses, relationship failure, exposure to suicide, social deprivation/rejection, factors which make individuals feel low and disputes with family/friends/others were found to be statistically associated with depression(p<0.05). About 70.35% of the study participants felt the need for motivational speakers and psychologists visits to schools, around 76.28% of the adolescents were motivated by parents/teachers/friends /relatives/others, and 57.14% of the depressed individuals were not willing to reach out for help. Conclusion: Rural adolescents are also exposed to various risk factors which make them equally vulnerable as of their urban counterparts. There is a need for regular psychologists and motivational speakers visit to schools which helps adolescents in coping with stress thereby decreasing the incidence of depression among them