DEPRESSION

Background: Poor mental health among public servants is a growing concern with significant implications for workplace productivity and overall well-being. This study examined the knowledge, attitude, and prevalence of mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, and stress) among public servants in Benin City, Edo State, to identify key influencing factors, gaps in
awareness, negative perceptions, and the extent of these conditions within the workforce in order to promote early identification and treatment, improve employee well-being, and enhance productivity and job performance among public servants. Objective: This study is aimed to determine the lvel of knowledge of mental health, assess attitudes, prevalence and factors influencing mental health status among public servants in, Benin City, Edo state. Methods: A Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 public servants across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Benin City. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique, and data were collected using a pretested self- administered questionnaire adapted from the Depression, Anxiety, stress scale (DASS), job demand control support model (JDCS), and the Effort reward model (ERI). Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Statical significance was set at p˂0.05, and 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean age of respondents was 35 ± 6.9 years. Two hundred and sixty-one (60.0%) of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge of mental health, while 265 (57.6%) held a positive attitude towards mental health. The prevalence of depression was 16.7% (n=77), anxiety was 22.8% (n=105), and stress was 9.3% (n=43). Significant predictors of mental health conditions included high workload (AOR=2.202; CI=1.401–3.462; p=0.001) and conflicts with xvi supervisors or coworkers (AOR=0.493; CI=0.313–0.777; p=0.002). Additionally, sex (p < 0.001), average working hours (p < 0.01), and current cadre (p = 0.021) were significantly associated with the level of good knowledge, while current job role( p˂ 0.001), average working hours (p˂0.048) were significantly associate with positive attitude. Conclusion: Although more than half of the public servants possessed good knowledge and a positive attitude toward mental health, the prevalence of conditions like anxiety remains notable. There is a need for targeted workplace interventions to reduce excessive workloads and improve supportive supervision to enhance the mental well-being of the workforce

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition that significantly affects academic performance, social functioning, and overall wellbeing among university students. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with depression among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from a sample of 382 students drawn from the Faculty of Arts through a stratified random sampling technique. A structured self- administered questionnaire incorporating the standardized Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression levels, while additional sections captured socio- demographic, academic, and lifestyle variables. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results revealed that depression was prevalent among undergraduate students, with varying degrees of severity influenced by socio-demographic, academic, and lifestyle factors. Female students, those with lower socioeconomic status, students living off-campus, and those with high academic workloads were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms. Furthermore, poor sleep quality, substance use, and lack of social support were significantly
associated with higher depression rates. Academic performance and self-efficacy were inversely related to depressive symptomatology, indicating that academic stress and low motivation contribute substantially to the development of depression. The findings underscore the urgent need for institutional interventions aimed at promoting mental health awareness, early screening, and the integration of counseling and peer support services within the university system. It is recommended that the University of Benin enhance mental health literacy programs, provide academic accommodations for affected students, and strengthen psychosocial support mechanisms to mitigate depression and its consequences among undergraduates.