Depression and associated factors among adolescent females in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background:Adolescents who suffer from depression early in life, have an increase in suicidal tendency, anxiety, conduct disorders, substance abuse, and continue to be depressed, later on in life. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence and correlates of depression among adolescent girls in Riyadh city in order to carry out early intervention.Methods:A cross-sectional, school-based survey was conducted among 1028 adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in secondary schools of Riyadh city. Riyadh was divided into clusters and within each cluster, both public and private schools were enrolled. From the selected schools students from grade 10–12 were surveyed. Survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire including the beck depression inventory-II, and questions exploring the correlates of depression.Results:About 30% of participants were found to be depressed. Depression was more prevalent among female adolescents whose household income was <12,000 Saudi Riyal/month (odds ratio [OR] 2.17, confidence interval [CI] 0.97–6.84), did not have a good relationship with peers and family members (OR 4.63, CI 2.56–8.41), lived with single parent or alone (OR 1.77, CI 0.97–3.23), been emotionally abused (OR 3.45, CI 2.56–8.41), and those who had been subjected to physical violence, at least once (OR 3.34, CI 1.89–5.91).Conclusions:Strategies need to be developed to identify early signs and symptoms of depression among Saudi female adolescents. Training can be given to groups of students to help their peers, and also to the teachers to identify, and help students identify early signs of depression and provide them with better-coping strategies to combat progression of depression and anxiety among such adolescents.

Overview of the Saudi National Mental Health Survey

“…Existing studies of psychiatric morbidity carried out in the KSA focused mainly on very specific populations with limited samples, such as patients in hospitals (AbuMadini & Rahim, 2002; Al‐Khathami & Ogbeide, 2002; Chaleby, 1986, 1988; Qureshi, Al‐Habeeb, Al‐Ghamdy, Magzoub, & van der Molen, 2001; Qureshi, Al‐Habeeb, Al‐Ghamdy, Magzoub, & Schmidt, 2001), primary healthcare centers (Al‐Dabal, Koura, & Al‐Sowielem, 2015; Al‐Qadhi, Ur Rahman, Ferwana, & Abdulmajeed, 2014), faith healing settings (Alosaimi et al, 2014), or student populations (Aboalshamat, Hou, & Strodl, 2015; Al‐Sughayr & Ferwana, 2012; Al Gelban, 2009; Raheel, 2015). There are also studies that consider regional community samples with findings limited to specific disorders such as major depressive disorder or substance abuse (AbuMadini, Rahim, Al‐Zahrani, & Al‐Johi, 2008).…”

A Pilot Study for Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health among Jordanian Adolescents

“…(12) In addition, recent findings suggest that inequalities in adolescent health (e.g. depression, life satisfaction, self-esteem, problem behaviors) may be rising in Europe (12,14,15) or beyond (16) .…”

Üniversitede okuyan kız öğrencilerde depresyon prevalansı ve ilişkili faktörler

“…Bazı çalışmalarda öğrencinin kaldığı yer ile depresyon arasında ilişki saptanmamıştır 4,20 . Kilis 7 Aralık 8 , Selçuk 9 ve Süleyman Demirel 12 üniversitelerinde yapılan çalışmalarda yurtta kalma ile depresyon belirtisi varlığı arasında ilişki bulunmuştur.…”

“…Araştırmamızda anne babanın öğrenim düzeyi ile öğrencilerde depresyon belirtisi varlığı arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. Literatürde bizim bulgumuzu destekleyen araştırmalar olmakla birlikte 12,14,20 , bazı çalışmalarda ailenin öğrenim düzeyi düşüklüğü ile öğrencilerde depresyon belirtilerinin ilişkisi olduğunu gösteren sonuçlar da bulunmuştur 13,14,19,22 . Olumlu aile yapısı ve aile ile olan etkili iletişim gençlerin ruh sağlığını etkilemektedir 10,19,22 .…”

“…Porto Riko'da yapılan bir çalışmada öğrencilerin annebabasının boşanmış olması ile depresyon belirtisi varlığı arasında ilişki olmadığı bulunmuştur 26 . Suudi Arabistan'da 20 ve Çin'de yapılan iki farklı çalışmada 19,22 olumsuz aile çevresi ve ailesi ile ilişkisi kopuk/kötü olanlarda depresyon belirtisi sıklığının yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Türkiye'de yapılan bir çalışmada ise anne ve/veya babası ölmüş olan öğrencilerin BDÖ puanlarının daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür 8 .…”