Prevalence and Risk Factors of Adolescent Depression among Schoolchildren aged 12–18 Years in Babylon, Iraq: A School-Based Study (2025–2026)

Abstract

Background: Depression is a significant public health problem worldwide and a leading cause of disability among adolescents. Low- and middle-income countries, including Iraq, face increasing mental health challenges due to social, economic, and post-conflict stressors. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their associated sociodemographic factors among secondary school adolescents in Al-Hilla City, Iraq. Materials and Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 secondary school students aged 12–18 years. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics and the validated Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the chi-square test was applied to examine associations, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was high: 29.9% had minimal symptoms, 34.9% mild, 25.8% moderate, and 9.4% moderately severe symptoms. No participants met the criteria for severe depression. Significant associations were found between depressive symptoms and average monthly family income (p = 0.002) as well as smoking status (p = 0.042). No significant associations were observed with age, gender, residence, parental education, crowding index, or academic failure. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among adolescents in Al-Hilla City. Lower socioeconomic status and smoking behavior were significantly associated with higher depression severity. These findings highlight the importance of early screening and the implementation of school-based mental health interventions targeting adolescents.