Prevalence, correlates of major depression: A mental health survey among undergraduates at a mainland C hinese university

This cross‐sectional survey among C hinese university students aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of major depressive disorder ( MDD ) among undergraduates, in order to provide basic information for the prevention and treatment of depression among the college‐aged population. Methods A total of 2,046 undergraduates were interviewed face to face using the W orld H ealth O rganization C omposite I nternational D iagnostic I nterview V ersion 3.0 ( WHO‐CIDI , version 3.0). D iagnostic and S tatistical M anual of M ental D isorders‐IV (DSM‐IV ) criteria were used to diagnose MDD . Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between MDD and selected correlates. Results The survey response rate was 90.1% ( N  = 1,843). The prevalence rates of MDD were 3.9% (lifetime), 2.4% (12 months) and 0.4% (30 days). No significant gender or age differences were found in prevalence rates. No sociodemographic characteristics were related to the lifetime prevalence of MDD . In contrast, family structure and environment factors specifically being from a single‐parent family (odds ratio [ OR ] = 2.513, confidence interval [ CI ] = 1.404–2.500), parents having mental problems ( OR  = 1.809, CI  = 1.104–2.964), and physical punishment ( OR  = 1.789, CI  = 1.077–3.001) were associated with higher lifetime prevalence of MDD . Discussion These findings showed a relatively lower prevalence of DSM‐IV / CIDI MDD in this sample of C hinese undergraduates than that reported for students in other countries. However, the prevalence rate for university students was higher than that reported for general C hinese population. Family structure and socio‐environmental factors in the student's family of origin significantly correlated with the lifetime prevalence of MDD .