Prevalence and factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

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Kaggwa, M.M., Arinaitwe, I., Nduhuura, E., Muwanguzi, M., Kajjimu, J., Kule, M., Ajuna, N., Machacha, I., Nkola, R., Najjuka, S.M., Wamala, N.K., Bongomin, F., Griffiths, M.D. ORCID: 0000-0001-8880-6524, Rukundo, G.Z. and Mamun, M.A., 2022. Prevalence and factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Uganda: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13: 842466. ISSN 1664-0640

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.842466

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted psychosocial well-being and mental health of students across the world. Although students are vulnerable to depression and suicidal ideation, few studies have been conducted in Uganda. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation, and associated factors among undergraduate university students in Uganda.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduates [N = 540; 363 males; mean age = 23.3 (± 2.64) years] recruited from four universities using an online questionnaire that explored sociodemographic factors, depression, and other associated factors. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression, and Item 9 was used to assess suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation.

Results: The prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 20% (n = 108) (cut-off: 10/27 based on the PHQ-9), and the prevalence of past-2-week suicidal ideation was 13.89% (n = 75) (cut-off: 1/3 based on the PHQ-9 Item 9). About half of the individuals who screened positive for depression had suicidal ideation. Factors associated with depression were: having relationship issues [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.81, p = 0.012], and having a history of sexual abuse (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.10–3.84, p = 0.023). Factors associated with reducing the risk of depression were: satisfaction with current academic performance (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.32–0.79, p = 0.003), and being in the fifth year of academic study (aOR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.03–0.73, p = 0.018). Factors associated with suicidal ideation were: smoking cigarettes and/or marijuana (aOR = 4.83, 95% CI = 1.10–21.12, p = 0.037), and having financial tuition constraints (aOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.08–3.16, p = 0.024), However, satisfaction with current academic performance reduced the likelihood of suicidal ideation (aOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.23–0.70, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Approximately one-fifth of undergraduate university students were moderately to severely depressed, especially those who had relationship issues and those with a history of sexual abuse. Suicidal ideation was common among smokers and those having financial tuition constraints. Therefore, it is recommended that the university authorities implement measures to provide psychological support for the students with problems concerning financial tuition constraints, relationships, and sexual abuse. Also, all students with depression should be screened for suicidality.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Creators:

Publisher:

Frontiers Media SA

Date:

14 April 2022

Volume:

ISSN:

1664-0640

Identifiers:

Number	Type
10.3389/fpsyt.2022.842466	DOI
1538415	Other

Rights:

© 2022 Kaggwa, Arinaitwe, Nduhuura, Muwanguzi, Kajjimu, Kule, Ajuna, Machacha, Nkola, Najjuka, Wamala, Bongomin, Griffiths, Rukundo and Mamun. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Divisions:

Schools > School of Social Sciences

Record created by:

Laura Ward

Date Added:

14 Apr 2022 12:49

Last Modified:

14 Apr 2022 12:49

URI:

https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/46136