Empirical directives in defeating adolescent depression in Oman: a systematic review

Abstract

Background Depression is one of the major problems that affect the mental health of adolescents. Approximately 2-5% of adolescents meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression at a given point of time, with around 10% experiencing a depressive disorder by age 16. 1 In the Sultanate of Oman, adolescents account for 18.69% of the population. 2 Available studies show that the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among adolescents in secondary schools was high in Oman, comparable to rates reported among cross-national adults. In Oman, the findings about major depressive disorders were equally divided between serious and moderate severity and that 57% of the bipolar categories found were serious. 3 These findings are considered to be alarming for Oman. A school based survey among Omani adolescents and youth estimated the prevalence of depressive symptoms at 17%, the lifetime prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at 3%, and Bipolar Mood Disorder (BMD) at 1%. 4 Al-Busaidi et al. 5 reported that 27.7% of University students had depression. 5 In Oman, the risk factors for depression among adolescents included a history of mental illness, high score in negative health locus of control, low score in positive health locus of control, not taking breakfast, poor relationship with family members, friends and teachers and physical abuse during adolescence. 6 Female gender was ascertained as a strong predictor of major depressive disorder. 4 Untreated depression among adolescents leads to behavioral problems such as irritability or moodiness, fighting, defiance, skipping school, running away, and sexual experimentation, 7 and a range of mental health disorders, particularly anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, and bipolar disorders. 8 Suicide is a common consequence of depression in