title: Depression among adolescents attending secondary schools in South East Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression among adolescents is an uncommon and frequently unrecognized issue in pediatrics. Children and adolescents however suffer from both depression and associated symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out among adolescents in secondary schools from two states; Enugu and Ebonyi metropolises within the age range of 9-18 in Enugu metropolis. The instrument employed for data collection was a structured self-administered questionnaire developed from the Goldberg Depression Questionnaire, a Screening Test for Depression. It is particularly suited for students in this age group. The families were assigned socio-economic classes using the recommended method (modified) by Oyedeji.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims and objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of several levels of depression among adolescents attending secondary schools in two states.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 453 adolescents who are attending secondary schools from two states were recruited in this study. Depression is non-existent before the age of 10 years according to this study. The prevalence of moderate depression was lowest (2.3%) at the age of 10 and highest at (6.2%) the age of 13. The prevalence of severe depression was lowest (1.9%) at the age of 11 and highest (7.4%) at the age of 12. Female gender is a risk factor for depression. Children whose parents are separated showed higher incidences of depression in all the spectra studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescents exhibit different levels of depression with a female preponderance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital; Department of Paediatrics, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Josephat M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chinawa
authors.forename: Pius C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Manyike
authors.forename: Herbert A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Obu
authors.forename: A Ebele
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Aronu
authors.forename: Odetunde
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Odutola
authors.forename: Awoere T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chinawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires