Family Medicine & Medical Science Research
Open Access

Abstract

Prevalence and Determinants of Depression among Qatari Adolescents in Secondary Schools

Noora Al-Kaabi, Nagah Abdel Aziz Selim, Rajvir Singh, Hamad Almadahki and Mansoura Salem

Adolescence is an important period for the development of a socially integrated self-negative, which may affect future decisions through depression and anxiety. It is estimated that 20% of adolescents have some type of psychological disorder, and the most common disorder is depression.
Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study conducted among Qatari adolescents in secondary Schools in Qatar. Multistage sampling technique was applied, 823qatari adolescent students were approached of which 797 agreed to participate giving a response rate of 96.8 %. Using a self-administered Arabic version of Beck’s Depression Inventory – II (BDI-II) [2], which measures the depression over the last two weeks in adults and adolescents aged 13 years and older.
Results: Almost one third of Qatari adolescents in secondary schools have depression 34.5%, Female adolescents were more likely to have depression than male. Bad relationship with peers, parents and teachers were among the most significant predictors of depression (OR=14.0, 95%CI=1.55-124), (OR=9.4, 95%CI=1.04-85.4), (OR=5.0, 95%CI=1.41-18.26) consecutively.
Recommendation: Adopting holistic approach in dealing with adolescent’s wellbeing, through incorporating preventive psychological interventions, such as early screening for depressive symptoms, counseling and psychological support should be available to adolescent students with depressive symptoms.