Depression and Related Factors among University Students

Prevalence of mental disorders especially depression cause tremendous problems among university students. Assessing this fact can help decision makers in planning and depression prevention strategies. This study aimed to assess depression and related factors among university students of Bardsir in Kerman، Iran in 2011. The study population was 300 university students and random sampling was conducted. The questionnaire included socio demographic information (20 items) and Zung depression scale (20 items). All items were scored on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 4 (always). Reliability for global instrument was measured by test-retest method (α = 0. 98). 300 female (79. 3%) and male students (20. 7%) participated in this study. Depression was assessed by sex، age، order of birth، family size، major، age، level of education and type of occupation of parents، living situation، family income، education satisfaction and success anticipation in exam. Sex (P < 0. 001)، order of birth (P = 0. 02)، level of mother’s education (P = 0. 03)، education satisfaction (P = 0. 01) and success anticipation in exam (P = 0. 002) had significant statistical relation with depression. Regarding that depression is considered as one of the most important issues in mental health، and significant percent of study population had different range of depression، the need for educational interventions using health education and health promotion models focusing on mental health is inevitable.