Prevalence and determinants of depression and suicidality among Health Sciences and Engineering students at Busitema University: A snapshot after COVID-19 lockdown

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Abstract Background Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in Uganda and is strongly associated with suicide which is an important cause of death among people aged 15–29 years. Among University students, depression affects social and academic performance which limits the capabilities of this potentially productive population. Additionally, many students display suicidal behaviour which is commonly a manifestation of severe depression hence need for evaluation of both depression and suicidality in a bid to address them. This cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the prevalence and determinants of depression and suicidality among students at two campuses of Busitema University in rural eastern Uganda.Methods A total of 658 were recruited with 360 from Busitema campus (faculty of engineering) and 298 from Mbale campus (faculty of health sciences). Depression and suicidality were assessed using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and relevant sociodemographic and clinical factors were collected using an investigator designed questionnaire. Data was analysed quantitatively using STATA version 16.Results The prevalence of major depressive episode was 32.4% while that of suicidality was 25.5%. The prevalence of both depression and suicidality was higher among health science students compared to those of engineering. Risk factors for depression included studying health sciences (adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 1.6, p-value (p) = 0.005), having chronic medical condition (AOR = 2.9, p = 0.001), being worried about academic activities (AOR = 1.6, p = 0.015) and being bullied by students (AOR = 2.0, p = 0.038). The risk factors for suicidality were having major depressive episode (AOR = 6.2, p = < 0.001) and familial history of mental illness (AOR = 1.8, p = 0.022) while being in second and fourth year of study ((AOR = 0.4, p = 0.001 and AOR = 0.2, p < 0.001 respectively) were protective against suicidality.Conclusion The findings indicate that depression and suicidality are highly prevalent public health challenges among university students influenced by factors some of which are potentially modifiable. Hence there is an urgent need for institutions of higher learning to put in place interventions against these challenges involving staffs as well as students and their relatives to ensure good mental health among students which may improve their functioning and performance.

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