Akhtar, Parveen, Ma, Lu, Waqas, Ahmed 
ORCID: 0000-0002-3772-194X, Naveed, Sadiq, Li, Yixuan, Rahman, Atif ORCID: 0000-0002-2066-4467 and Wang, Youfa
(2020)
Prevalence of depression among university students in low and middle income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal of Affective Disorders, 274.
pp. 911-919.
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Akhtar et al 2020_Univ students depr_JAD.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Introduction Though university years are peak time for the onset of many mental health problems including depression, knowledge on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in LMICs. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and WHO Global Health Library for studies published between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies conducted in LMICs (as defined by World Bank), having a sample size≥500 and published in English were identified. Data on study characteristics and prevalence of depressive symptoms was extracted by two investigators. Estimate of prevalence was pooled in meta-analysis using random-effects meta-analysis. Sub-group differences were estimated using mixed-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results Depressive symptoms prevalence data were extracted from 37 studies involving 76,608 individuals in 20 countries. Studies on depression among university students in LMICs were limited, and most were based on non-representative and small study samples. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 24.4% (95% CI, 19.2% -30.5%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence did not vary by study design, sampling technique, sample size, study major, educational level, economic regions, and screening instrument. Limitations Only English language studies were included. Included studies were diverse in design, screening tool, and sample size that introduced substantial heterogeneity. Conclusion Overall prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in LMICs was 24.4%, however, finding should be interpreted with caution. Further research is needed to address the issue.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | university students, depression, prevalence, low and middle income countries, systematic review, meta-analysis |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Jul 2020 10:41 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jan 2023 23:47 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.183 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3092385 |
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