Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Associated Socio Demographic Factors among Intermediate College Boys

Aim: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among intermediate college boys and analyze the associated socio demographic factors. Subjects and Method: The study was carried out at Fauji Foundation College for boys New Lalazar Rawalpindi. The sample population comprised of XXX intermediate college boys. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12 was used to screen for any psychiatric illness, and those with score greater than 4, were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to record the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Level of family income, relationship status, grade in matriculation, family history of psychiatric disorder, tobacco smoking, worrying about future and social support status was correlated with depressive symptoms to evaluate the association of these factors with depression in the study population. Results: Out of 240 students screened with GHQ 12, 125 were found to have a score of 4 or more, as an indicator of presence of psychiatric morbidity they were administered BDI. Of these 70 students had no depressive symptoms, 29 had mild, 20 had moderate and 06 had severe depressive symptoms. With logistic regression, we found significant correlation between depressive symptoms and grade in matriculation, worrying about future and lack of social support. Conclusion: Prevalence of depressive symptoms was high among college students. Special attention should be paid to students with low grade in matriculation and those who lack social support and worry about future.