Dr. Alyana Francesca Marquiño, MD
Abstract
Introduction: Mental health has emerged as an important public health concern among the general population during the COVID 19 pandemic due to the dramatic changes in lifestyle and fear of acquiring the disease.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate and screen for depressive symptoms and its predictors among Filipino high school students in an urban area during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A prospective, analytic, cross sectional study design was used involving students aged 10-18 years old. The validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was distributed to two schools in Lipa City, Batangas from April – May 2023. Descriptive statistics was used to characterize the study population. Fischer’s Exact Test and Binary Logistic regression was used to determine the association between depression among Filipino High school students and specific factors.
Results: Use of the PHQ-9 depression severity scores classified 149 students as 22.15% for none-minimal, 30.20% mild, and 47.65% moderate to severe. Sociodemographic factors and health status provided minimal explanation for the variance in depression severity. A significant proportion of students reported losing contact with friends during the pandemic (p-value 0.005). A significantly higher probability of moderate to severe depression was found among high school students who lost contact with friends during this period (adj OR = 3.08, p-value 0.004), having their own room (adj OR = 3.43, p< 0.001), used social media for more than 8 hours (adj OR = 8.76, p-value 0.020), and risk-taking behaviors, particularly consumption of alcohol (adj OR = 3.62, p-value 0.042).
Conclusion: Overall, the pandemic had a significant impact in the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents. Variable levels of depression severity among participants was observed with a significant number of participants who experienced moderate to severe depression. Factors such as losing contact with friends, having their own room, prolonged use of social media, and alcohol consumption are predictors useful in determining the likelihood of moderate to severe depression.
Keywords: Adolescents, Depression, COVID 19 Pandemic, PHQ-9