Citation

McFarlane S, Younger N, Francis D, Gordon-Strachan G, Wilks R. Int. J. Adolesc. Youth 2014; 19(4): 458-467.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, A B Academic Publishers)

DOI

10.1080/02673843.2012.751041

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and the associated risk factors in Jamaican youth aged 15-19 years. A nationally represented sample of youth aged 15-19 years was surveyed using multistage cluster sampling. Risk behaviours such as sexual activity, alcohol and marijuana use were obtained by interviewer-administered questionnaire; depression was assessed using the Ministry of Health screening tool. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain the odds of depression for any given risk factor. Data showed that 15.5% (males = 596, females = 716), of the youth recruited were classified as depressed (males = 9.7%, females = 21.3%, p ˂ 0.001). Approximately12.5% had planned, considered or attempted suicide in the past year. More than one-half of youth had unsafe sexual practices (males = 68.2%, females = 48.7%, p ˂ 0.001). One-fifth were involved in violent acts (males = 27.2%, females = 12.5%, p ˂ 0.001) or substance abuse (males = 22.6%, females = 17.4%, p = 0.008). Unsafe sexual practices and substance abuse doubled the likelihood of being depressed (odds ratio = 1.76, 95% confidence interval [1.21, 2.54]; and odds ratio = 2.31, 95% confidence interval [1.67, 3.21], respectively). Youth who were involved in violence were three times more likely to be depressed (odds ratio = 2.77, 95% confidence interval [1.90, 4.04]). Gender-specific multivariable models showed that pregnancy and violence increased the likelihood for depression in males whilst violence, drunkenness, smoking and more than one sexual partner were significant for females. Youth who engage in highrisk behaviours are at increased odds for depression. Programmes to involve youth in positive behaviours should be given priority in order to reduce the prevalence of depression. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Language: en

Keywords

Depression; Jamaica; Risk behaviour