Assessment of Depression Among Students Studying in Higher Educational Institutions Using PHQ 9 in Tamil Nadu—A Cross-sectional Study

Depression is one of the significant public health concerns, accounting for about 800,000 suicides every year and affecting an estimated 300 million globally. Among the mental health issues students face, depression has become increasingly prevalent and detrimental to multiple factors that can either impact academic performance or overall health and well-being. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with depression among students in higher education in Tamil Nadu.

The cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 4059 and logistic regression was performed.

The results showed 51.2% of the students had depression. The risk for depression was greater in students between 23 and 24 years of age, with an odds ratio of 2.14 at p = 0.01 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.19–3.83. It was even more probable for pupils aged 25 and older, with an OR of 2.53 and p = 0.00, within the 95% CI: 1.66–3.86. Married students were less likely to suffer from depression compared to their non-married counterparts, with an OR of 0.22 and p = 0.014, within the 95% CI: 0.06–0.74. Those students who paid a high fee had a higher chance of suffering from depression, with an OR of 1.55 and p = 0.00, with a 95% CI: 1.20–2.00.

Age, marital status, and socioeconomic status showed significant associations with depression. These findings highlight the critical need for mental health support programs in higher education.