Validity of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a screening tool for depression amongst Nigerian university students.

Background: The common self-rated depression scales are lengthy, old and do not reflect the current diagnostic classifications criteria of depressive disorders. This study aimed to validate the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a screening tool for depression amongst Nigerian university students.

Methods: A representative sample of university students (n=512) completed the PHQ-9 and the Beck's Depressive Inventory (BDI).