Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions About Depression among Clarke International University Students

Abstract

Background: Depression is widely a spread global mental health problem, and continues to be among the most challenging health concerns among students. Globally, there are higher rates of depression among university students than the general population, even in Uganda.
Objective: This study was aimed at exploring the knowledge, attitude and perceptions about depression among Clarke International University students.
Methods: The study was descriptive in nature and was based on the cross-sectional design. It was conducted among 150 students of Clarke International University students who were randomly selected from the different courses offered at the university. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire using a well-designed and structured questionnaire. Results: Majority of the study respondents, 88(58.7%) were aged 20 – 25 years, and 98(65.3%) of them were female. All study respondents, 150(100.0%) had ever heard about depression. However, majority of them, 112(74.7%) were only partially knowledgeable about depression, with only 38(25.3%) of them having good knowledge about depression. Majority, 97(64.7%) indicated that they would never admit to friends if they had depression, 129(86.0%) would never admit to colleagues if they had depression, while 75(50.0%) felt uncomfortable talking to a person with depression.
Majority, 85(56.7%) had the perception that people with depression may feel guilty when they are not at fault; 91(60.7%) felt that depression leads to loss of confidence and poor self-esteem, while 77(51.3%) were of the view that people with depression often hear voices that are not there.
Conclusion: The study found that while awareness about depression was high among the university students, majority of them were only partially knowledgeable about this condition, and this negatively influenced their attitudes and perceptions about depression.
Recommendations: The university administration should put in place and support measures of improving knowledge about depression among university students, and government of Uganda, through the National Council for Higher Education, should come up a policy that compels universities and higher learning institutions to incorporate depression information dissemination into orientation programs for all students joining these institutions