Prevalence and Associated Factors of Current Depressive Symptoms among Staff of a Public University in Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is an important global public health problem and one of the most common and serious mental disorders. It initiates with the presentation of symptoms before it progresses to a lifetime disorder. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with current depressive symptoms among university staff of a public university in Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a probability proportionate to size sampling method to select 683 academic and non-academic staff. A structured validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The prevalence of current depressive symptoms was 14.9% (19.0% among males, 12.5% among females). Gender, age, marital status, monthly family income and self-esteem were significantly associated with current depressive symptoms (p<0.05). The logistic regression model showed that male gender (AOR = 2.04; 95%CI 1.29, 3.20) and younger age (AOR = 2.79; 95%CI 1.16, 6.76) were predictors of current depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The prevalence of current depressive symptoms was 14.9% (19.0% among males, 12.5% among females) among university staff. A mental health promotion intervention is needed to prevent the threat depression poses on the health of the university staff.

Keywords

• Prevalence
• Factors associated
• Depressive symptoms
• University staff