Epidemiology of depression and anxiety among undergraduate students

AIMS: Depression and anxiety are the most common and prevalent mental health issues among undergraduate students. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression, their associated predictors, and to assess knowledge and use of antidepressant medications among university students in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in Jordan among undergraduate students from all levels of study. Istilli et al's questionnaire, the PHQ-9 and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) scales were used in this study to explore the study objectives. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of anxiety and depression. RESULTS: A total of 1582 undergraduate students participated in the study. Prevalence of depression was 22.3% (n = 330), with proportions of minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe depression to be 15.9%, 32.4%, 29.5%, 14.7% and 7.6%, respectively. Prevalence of anxiety was 15.8% (n = 173), with proportions of mild, moderate and severe anxiety to be 46.4%, 37.8% and 15.8%, respectively. Female students and those with low income (<500 JD) had higher depression mean scores compared with others. Females, arts and engineering students, divorced and those who have four or more children had higher anxiety mean scores compared with others. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study addressed the importance of taking serious measures and interventions to prevent the development of severe mental illness among university students.