Screening for Depression in Adolescents in Gokarneshwor Municipality-4, Kathmandu

TLDR: Late adolescence was significantly associated with depression and thoughts related to self harm were also six times more in late adolescent age group thanthe early adolescents age group.

Abstract: Depression which is characterized by hopelessness and loss of interest in social activities is commonduring adolescence However it is often unrecognized and the burden is even more in low incomecountries It also increases the risk of suicide in future Hence in a developing country like Nepalit is important that such cases are detected at the early stage preventing further worsening of thecondition A simple set of questionnaires like Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 9 can be used toscreen for depression Using this questionnaire screening for depression was carried out in adolescentsof Gokarneshwor municipality, ward 4 Four hundred and twenty participants were selected by theprocess of systematic random sampling Based on answers to nine questions score was given andadolescents categorized as having no, mild, moderate or severe depression The PHQ 9 score suggestedthat 131% were suffering from depression, out of which 236% from moderate to severe depressionwhich required psychiatric consultation Out of those shown to have some form of depression 400%said they had thought of self harm in last 2 weeks Late adolescence was significantly associated withdepression Thoughts related to self harm were also six times more in late adolescent age group thanthe early adolescent age group Keywords : Adolescence, Depression,Gokarneshwor-4