Original Article

Screening of depression among the students of University of Balochistan

Shoaib Ahmed Kashani, Mehreen Siddiqui, Banafsha

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of depression among the students attending the classes of
various disciplines at the University of Balochistan Quetta

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study with the help of non-probability purposive
sampling technique was carried out. Duration of this study was 3 months from April 2019 to
June 2019. Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D or HRSD) was administered among
the students, who had spent more than one year at campuses of University of Balochistan and
had no self -reported physical illnesses. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed among the
students of various departments. Out of 150 questionnaires 16 students declined participating
during the present study. 134 students from various departments participated with informed
consent.

Results: Out of 134 students, 61 (45.52%) were female and 72 (54.48%) male. The mean age of
the students was 30.50 +/- 8.05 years. Among 134 students, 60 (44.48%) students, both male and
female were showing mild, moderate and severe depression on HAMD-17 version scale. 74
(55.22 %) out of 134 students were not depressed. 39 (29.10 %) students were suffering from
mild, 16 (11.32 %) moderate, and 5 (4.72%) from severe depression. Out of total 61 female
students, 28 (45.90%) were not depressed, 22 (36.07%) showed mild depression, 10 (16.39%),
moderate, and 1 (1.64%) severe depressed. While out of 73 male students 46 (63.01%) were not
depressed, 17 (23.29%) were mildly depressed, 6 (8.22%) moderately depressed and 4 (45.48 %)
were suffering from severe depression on HAMD scale. Overall depression was higher in female
than male students (OR= 2.0, 95% CI=0.94-4.24, p=0.04). Rate of depression was higher in
single (unmarried) students, in both genders, than married students. (Pearson chi2=23.14,
p=0.001)

Conclusion: We found a higher prevalence of depression in the students at campuses. Here, we

concluded that depression is common in students of both sexes belonging to various departments
at University of Balochistan (UoB) Quetta, Pakistan.

Keywords: Depression, University of Balochistan, students at campuses, Various Disciplines