PREVALENCE, DETERMINANTS, IMPACTS OF DEPRESSION AND IT’S EFFECT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG PHARMACY STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
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Abstract
Depression is a significant mental health concern among university students worldwide, with pharmacy students particularly vulnerable due to the demanding nature of their academic programmes. Despite growing evidence of its prevalence in Nigerian universities, institution-specific data from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) remains limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Benin, identify the key determinants of depression within this population, and assess its impact on their academic performance and psychosocial well-being.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 undergraduate pharmacy students across academic levels 200 to 600 at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using a stratified sampling technique with proportional allocation. Data were collected through a self-administered, structured online questionnaire comprising five sections: sociodemographic characteristics, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression screening, determinants of depression, impact of depression, and effects on academic performance. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0, with chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests employed to assess associations between variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 20.1%, with 11.7% of respondents experiencing mild depression, 6.1% moderate depression, and 2.3% severe depression. Age (p = 0.043) and level of study (p = 0.015) were significantly associated with depression severity; younger students (15–19 years) and those in lower academic levels (especially 200 level) exhibited the highest rates of depressive symptoms, while final-year (600 level) students had the lowest prevalence. Sex, religion, marital status, residential location, accommodation type, and source of funding did not show statistically significant associations with depression. The principal determinants identified were academic stress (45.3% reported difficulty coping with workload), prolonged academic stay (25.2%), poor accommodation (18.9%), sleep disturbances (16.6%), financial difficulties (40.7%), and traumatic experiences including examination failure (30.3% of those with trauma) and heartbreak (24.4%). Among the 105 students (24.5%) with active depressive symptoms, 60.0% found it harder to concentrate, 50.5% reported impaired academic performance, 32.4% missed classes or examinations, and 27.6% had failed courses due to poor mental health. Notably, nearly half (45.7%) of symptomatic students reported suicidal ideation, yet only 26.7% had sought any form of help.
Conclusion: Depression affects approximately one in five pharmacy students at the University of Benin, with younger students and those in early academic years at greatest risk. Academic stress, financial difficulties, and traumatic life events are the predominant determinants, while the condition substantially impairs concentration, attendance, and academic outcomes. The alarmingly low rate of help-seeking despite high suicidal ideation underscores an urgent need for targeted mental health screening, accessible counselling services, and institutional policies that address academic stressors and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Benin, identify the key determinants of depression within this population, and assess its impact on their academic performance and psychosocial well-being.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 undergraduate pharmacy students across academic levels 200 to 600 at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using a stratified sampling technique with proportional allocation. Data were collected through a self-administered, structured online questionnaire comprising five sections: sociodemographic characteristics, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression screening, determinants of depression, impact of depression, and effects on academic performance. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0, with chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests employed to assess associations between variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 20.1%, with 11.7% of respondents experiencing mild depression, 6.1% moderate depression, and 2.3% severe depression. Age (p = 0.043) and level of study (p = 0.015) were significantly associated with depression severity; younger students (15–19 years) and those in lower academic levels (especially 200 level) exhibited the highest rates of depressive symptoms, while final-year (600 level) students had the lowest prevalence. Sex, religion, marital status, residential location, accommodation type, and source of funding did not show statistically significant associations with depression. The principal determinants identified were academic stress (45.3% reported difficulty coping with workload), prolonged academic stay (25.2%), poor accommodation (18.9%), sleep disturbances (16.6%), financial difficulties (40.7%), and traumatic experiences including examination failure (30.3% of those with trauma) and heartbreak (24.4%). Among the 105 students (24.5%) with active depressive symptoms, 60.0% found it harder to concentrate, 50.5% reported impaired academic performance, 32.4% missed classes or examinations, and 27.6% had failed courses due to poor mental health. Notably, nearly half (45.7%) of symptomatic students reported suicidal ideation, yet only 26.7% had sought any form of help.
Conclusion: Depression affects approximately one in five pharmacy students at the University of Benin, with younger students and those in early academic years at greatest risk. Academic stress, financial difficulties, and traumatic life events are the predominant determinants, while the condition substantially impairs concentration, attendance, and academic outcomes. The alarmingly low rate of help-seeking despite high suicidal ideation underscores an urgent need for targeted mental health screening, accessible counselling services, and institutional policies that address academic stressors and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care.
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