Prevalence rate of Depression among Undergraduate Nursing Students of a Nigerian University

Globally, depression has been found to be highly prevalent among undergraduates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among undergraduate nursing students of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State. Using the Beck Depression Inventory 11 (BDI-11), data were collected from 216 undergraduate nursing students of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State. Results showed that depression is among undergraduate nursing students of Niger Delta University with a pooled prevalence of 37.5% with 135(62.5%) having no depression, 43(20.1%) mild depression, 24(10.9%) moderate depression, and 14(6.5%) severely depressed. Results further revealed that females were 69(31.9%) more depressed than males 11(5.1%). Depression is highly widespread among undergraduate nursing students of Niger Delta University with differences in depression levels between females and males and as students advanced academically. Programmes that cater to the mental health of students are recommended in order to help them cope with the stressors they encounter