Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Tertiary Students in a Low Socio-Economic Settin
Author(s): Laari Kantam Cletus, Amadu Peter Mintir, Rejoice Enyonam Hoedoafia, Asuah Nkrumah Peggy, Amaning Otomo Josephine, Addae Mensah Christiana, Tagoe Naa Ayeley Suomo, Sadik Fati
Background: Globally an estimated 970 million people suffer from mental health problems including depression, stress and anxiety. Out of these numbers, about 280 million are affected with depression alone. Psychological challenges including depression, anxiety and stress are issues of major health concern globally. The World Health Organization (WHO), estimate that 3.8% of the world population suffer depression and its related challenges, including 5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years. The objective of the study was to assess the level of depression, anxiety and stress among students of the University for Development Studies.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using cluster sampling technique to recruit final year students of the University for Development Studies into the study. A standardized questionnaire (DASS 21) was administered to a total of 229 students who were recruited using purposive sampling approach after they were clustered according to their levels of study.
Results: Overall, 229 students participated in the study with majority (51.1%) being females and 61% aged between 18-25 years. Also, 98% of the students were in their final year with most of them (68%) being Christians. The results further showed that 23% of the students experienced extremely severe levels of stress with additional 19% experiencing extremely severe levels of anxiety. Finally, 18% of the students experienced extremely severe levels of depression.
Conclusion: This study recognizes the fact that pressures often associated with studies in the Tertiary levels especially among final year students expose them to serious challenges including stress, anxiety and depression requiring the need to institute intervention in tertiary schools that would help reduce these challenges.