Knowledge, prevalence, and help-seeking behavior toward depression among undergraduate students in a selected tertiary institution in Nigeria: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Depression is a leading cause of illness and disability among adolescents and young adults, with university students particularly vulnerable due to academic, social, and financial pressures. In Nigeria, limited data exist on the knowledge, prevalence, and help-seeking behaviors surrounding depression among undergraduates. This study assessed the knowledge, prevalence, and help-seeking behavior regarding depression among undergraduate students in a selected tertiary institution in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 undergraduate students selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered, semistructured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were employed, with the statistical significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.6 ± 2.7 years, with females comprising 54.5%. About 57.8% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of depression. The prevalence of depression among respondents was 37.9%, with mild (19.4%), moderate (13.5%), and severe (5%) cases. Notably, only 31.7% of those experiencing depressive symptoms sought help, primarily from informal sources such as friends and family. Gender, faculty of study, and year of study were significantly associated with knowledge levels ( P < 0.05), while stigma and lack of awareness were key barriers to seeking professional help. Conclusion: Depression is prevalent among undergraduate students, yet their help-seeking remains low. Strengthening mental health awareness campaigns and integrating mental health services into university health systems are essential to improving early detection and care.