The Prevalence of Depression Among Students with Nursing Major in Iran Using the Beck Questionnaire: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Parvaneh  Isfahani; Mohammad  Sarani; Somayeh  Samani; Aliyeh  Bazi; Seyedeh Masoumeh  Hosseini Zare; Ahmad Siar  Sadr; Maryam Sadat  Hosseini; Seyedeh Mahboobeh  Hosseini Zare

doi:10.18502/ijre.v20i2.17636

Parvaneh Isfahani Associate Professor, Department of Health Service Management, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Mohammad Sarani Lecturer, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Somayeh Samani Lecturer, School of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences., Zabol,
Aliyeh Bazi Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Seyedeh Masoumeh Hosseini Zare Laboratory Specialist, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Ahmad Siar Sadr PhD in Industrial engineering, Deputy of Research and Technology, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Sadat Hosseini PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Research and Development Department, Eagle Analytical Services, Houston, Texas, United States of America
Seyedeh Mahboobeh Hosseini Zare PhD in Health Service Management, Social Department of Health Research Center, University of Social Walfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijre.v20i2.17636

Keywords: Depression, Prevalence, Nurse, Student, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders among students associated with a major decline in academic and social performance. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of depression in Iran's nursing students.

Methods: the research was conducted as a systematic review and meta analysis, all published scientific articles related to the prevalence of depression in nursing students were searched in 5 databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, SID, Magiran) and Google Scholar search engine and then their quality was evaluated. The heterogeneity of the studies was investigated using the I² index and meta-regression model to evaluate heterogeneity-prone variables at a significance level of 0.05. Ultimately, 9 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this study and were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software.

Results: Based on the random model, the prevalence of depression in Iranian nursing students was equal to 3.2% (2.1 – 4.5; 95% confidence level). Results showed that the highest prevalence of depression in nursing students was 6.2% (5.3-7.1; 95% confidence limit) in Sistan and Balochestan province in 2004, while the lowest prevalence was 0.8% (0.5-1.2; confidence limit 95%) in Esfahan and Qom provinces in 2016. Also, there was a significant relationship between the calendar year, sample size, average age, and prevalence of depression in Iranian nursing students (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The results showed that the prevalence of depression in nursing students was 3.2%, which decreased with the increase of the calendar year and average age. Nevertheless, policymakers and managers must take measures to reduce depression.