Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Out-Of-School Adolescents in Ayere Village, Northern Uganda

Abstract

Globally mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease to adolescents aged 10-19 years with depression ranking as one of the leading causes of illness and disability among this age group and the burden of depression is higher in low and middle-income countries. However, little is known about how these conditions predispose to out-of-school adolescent depression. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with depression among out-of-school adolescents in Ayere village, northern Uganda. The study employed a cross-sectional survey carried out in November 2020 in which 164 out-of-school adolescents in Ayere village, northern Uganda were randomly selected to participate in the study. The study revealed that 34% had major depressive disorders with the majority (66%) reporting no major depressive disorders. The socio-demographics associated with depressive disorder were age, marital status, support from friends and family members, and childbearing. The prevalence of the major depressive disorder among out-of school adolescents is substantially high and was associated with orphanhood, staying with a single parent, low support, and marital status. Results from our study underscore the importance of social support concerning major depressive disorders among out-of-school adolescents.