ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS

ABSTRACT

Several studies have shown that university students in other part of the world experience high levels of mental health problems such as stress anxiety and depression. Early detection and quick prevention of these mental health problems among university students are very important in public health practices; therefore this study assessed the prevalence and possible correlates of depression, anxiety and stress among students of optometry department, University of Benin. A cross sectional descriptive study design was employed for this study and it was conducted among 383 undergraduate students of Optometry department, University of Benin, Carried out between June-July, 2021. A convenient sample of Optometry students was interviewed using questionnaire to record their socio-demographic variables and their responses to the 21 question version of the Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21). The total number of respondents in the study was 383 of which 57.4% (220) were females while 42.6% (163) were males. The mean age was 22.48 years, Majority 65% showed normal levels of for stress, 48.8% for anxiety, 58.7% for depression. Depression, anxiety and stress was more prevalent in female, students below age 21 years present with higher scores of depression, anxiety and stress. Higher depression anxiety scores were recorded for students that live alone. Students who have repeated class, take coffee and smoke do not show higher scores compared to their counterpart that does not. This study found a considerable prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in our population. The study results can be helpful to design strategies for the early identification of mental health disorders, as well as psychological and other interventions leading to mental health promotion and wellbeing in the population of university students.