PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF DEPRESSION AMONG PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

This cross-sectional study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of depression among teachers and to pinpoint the contributing variables to its emergence. Data were obtained from teachers working in Jeddah's public elementary schools throughout one academic year using a multistage clustered sample procedure and the probability proportional to size method. Data on depression and cofactors were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. The survey comprised 406 respondents with a mean age of 39.9 SD=6.3. Of the sample, 54.9% were women, and 45.1% were men. 86.2% were married, with a mean number of kids=3.49±1.48. The prevalence of depressive symptoms in this study was found to be 36.5% (95% CI: 32–41). Multiple factors were associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms, including sex, 𝜒2 =16.68; p =.000, years of teaching Fisher-exact=7.37; p =.02, chronic health problems, 𝜒2=12.57; p =.000, and sleep disturbance, 𝜒2 =25.52; p =.000. After adjusting for all variables, and excluding sleep quality from the regression model for its collinearity with depression, female gender or persons having chronic illness were at higher risk of depression with OR =2.55; p =.001 and OR=1.76; p =.03 respectively. These findings support earlier research showing that psychological distress is elevated among females having a history of chronic illness or sleep disturbance,

Like their peers worldwide, Saudi teachers go through much stress. This again underlines the significance of early identification and treatment of depression among teachers. Additionally, long-term initiatives for improving the learning environment in schools should be implemented, as well as actions to increase female autonomy in the education sector.

Keywords: depression, teachers, prevalence, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia