Prevalence of Depression Among Undergraduate Students at the University of Lagos, South West Nigeria

Depression remains one of the most prevalent mental health conditions among young adults globally, and university students represent a particularly vulnerable demographic. This study investigates the prevalence of depressive symptoms among undergraduate students at the University of Lagos, a large federal institution in South West Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, a sample of 350 students will be recruited through stratified random sampling across faculties. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) will serve as the primary screening instrument, supplemented by a sociodemographic questionnaire capturing age, gender, year of study, socioeconomic status, and academic performance. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 26, with descriptive statistics summarizing prevalence rates and chi-square tests examining associations between sociodemographic variables and depression scores. Preliminary literature suggests that academic pressure, financial constraints, and social isolation significantly contribute to depressive episodes in Nigerian university populations. This study aims to provide an institutional estimate that can inform student counseling services and mental health policy at the university level. Findings are expected to highlight at-risk subgroups, particularly students in clinical and professional programmes where workload is intensive. Recommendations will be directed at university management, student affairs departments, and national mental health policymakers. Keywords: depression, undergraduates, University of Lagos, PHQ-9, prevalence