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Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 5/2007

01-08-2007 | ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION

Prevalence of major depressive disorders and a validation of the beck depression inventory among nigerian adolescents

Authors: Abiodun O. Adewuya, Bola A. Ola, Olutayo O. Aloba

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 5/2007

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Abstract

Aim

The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in a representative sample of Nigerian adolescents, and to assess the validity of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in screening for depressive symptoms among adolescent population in Nigeria.

Method

A total of 1095 adolescents aged 13–18 years attending senior secondary schools completed the BDI. The presence of MDD in the adolescents was assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children–Epidemiological Version 5 (K-SADS-E).

Result

The prevalence of MDD was 6.9%. (male = 5.5%, female = 8.9%). The difference between the rates for MDD in males and females was statistically significant (P = 0.028), but no age or age-gender-interaction difference was found. The BDI has good psychometric properties in screening for depression in adolescents. At a cut off score of 18 and above, the BID has a sensitivity of 0.91, specificity of 0.97, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.88 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.98.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MDD in Nigerian adolescents is comparable to those found in western culture and the BDI is a valid instrument for screening for MDD among Nigerian adolescents. Health policies in developing countries must integrate adolescents’ depression as a disorder of public health significance.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of major depressive disorders and a validation of the beck depression inventory among nigerian adolescents
Authors
Abiodun O. Adewuya
Bola A. Ola
Olutayo O. Aloba
Publication date
01-08-2007
Publisher
D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 5/2007
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0557-0

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