Prevalence and Correlates of Depression Among Senior Secondary School Students in Zamfara State

This study assesses the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among senior secondary school students in Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. Adolescent depression is increasingly recognised as a public mental health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, yet it remains underdiagnosed in Nigerian school populations, particularly in states with limited mental health infrastructure. Using an epidemiological cross-sectional survey design, this research administered the Revised Children's Depression Inventory to 450 students aged 15 to 19 years drawn from six secondary schools across Gusau and Talata Mafara local government areas. Sociodemographic information, family structure data, and academic performance records were also collected. Results indicate a prevalence rate of 28.4 percent meeting the threshold for moderate to severe depression, which is higher than national estimates from previous studies. Female students and those from economically deprived households showed significantly higher depression scores. Academic failure, family dysfunction, and exposure to community insecurity emerged as the strongest predictors of depressive symptoms. Limited awareness of mental health resources among school staff was identified as a key gap. The study recommends that the Zamfara State Government integrate mandatory mental health screening into the secondary school health system and establish school-based counselling services staffed by trained professionals. Keywords: depression, senior secondary students, Zamfara State, prevalence, adolescent mental health.