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Prevalence of depression among Afghan university students

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Bamyan University, Afghanistan
  • 2Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Bamyan University, Afghanistan
  • 3Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Bamyan University, Afghanistan

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 7, Issue (1), Pages 16-21, January,14 (2018)

Abstract

Depression is a prominent mental disorder among university students around the world. Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) reported that most Afghans suffer from different degree of depression. Afghanistan Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) also states insufficient health care in the country. However, MoHE has just established a few counseling centers in some universities to assist students in relation to their academic stress and other psychological barriers. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of depression among Afghanistan public universities. 721 questionnaires were distributed to the participants in all three universities. The results show that students suffer from different levels of depression. 30% of the participants suffer from moderate depression, 20% from mild mood swings, 15% border line clinical depression, 12% severe depression, and 3% extreme depression. The findings warrant providing greater mental health assistance and counseling centers at universities.

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