Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Causes and Effects of Depression Among Fourth Year Degree Nursing Students at a University, Windhoek, Namibia.

Abstract

Abstract Background Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression is one of the most common yet serious mental health conditions that individuals have struggled with from the past to the present. Depression affects the functionality of a human being regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or even religion. Depression is a state of restlessness which can be explained as the extremist and the most profound state of sadness, while restlessness is like a burning flame, and sadness is like the embers that remain after this flame calms down. Moreover, Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. Student nurses are care givers to the clients and patient, therefore it is of utmost importance that they must know the causes and effects of depression. Therefore, this study focuses on the knowledge, attitude and practice of 4th year degree nursing students at the main campus in Windhoek, regarding the causes and effects of depression. Methodology In this study Quantitative, descriptive approaches were employed to determine the knowledge, and attitude of 4rd year degree nursing students of UNAM main campus in Windhoek, regarding the causes and effects of depression. The target population for this study was 91 4th year degree nursing students at the University of Namibia, main campus, Windhoek. Data was collected from 28th August 2022 until 7th of October 2022 and self-structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. For this study, probability, random sampling was used. Results A response rate of 100% was achieved. Out of 79 participants, 86% were female and they were dominating while 14% were male. All participants were Christians. The majority of the participants had grade12 certificate as their highest qualifications 87% and the least had other (certificate, diploma, degree) 13%. The study revealed that there was good display of knowledge, attitude regarding the causes and effects of depression.