Prevalence, Symptoms, and Associated Risk Factors for Depression Among Undergraduate Students of Non-Medical Universities in Mwanza, Tanzania

Background: University students are vulnerable to depression due to the transitional na-ture of their life stage, which often involves increased academic pressures and social changes. This study aims to examine the prevalence, symptoms, and associated risk fac-tors for depression among undergraduate students of non-medical universities. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at non-medical universities in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The presence and severity of depression symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results: A total of 768 students participated in the study. The preva-lence of depression was 35.7%. A significant proportion experienced loss of interest and pleasure (n=516; 67.2%), felt easily tired (n=373; 48.6%), and had difficulty making deci-sions (n=303; 39.4%). A significant relationship was observed between age and depres-sion, with participants aged 25 and above reporting higher rates of depression (53.2%) compared to those aged 18–24 (28.8%) (p < 0.001). Similarly, the year of study was signifi-cantly associated with depression; fourth-year students had the highest proportion of de-pression (64.3%), while first-year students had the lowest (26.2%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that over one-third of undergraduate students in non-medical universi-ties suffer from depression. Campus counseling services should prioritize screening for key symptoms while developing stress-management programs tailored to academic pro-gression challenges.