The prevalence of mental illness is increasing, yet the utilization of mental health services remains a challenge for any country. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the use of mental health facilities among medical and pharmacy students at Joseph KI-ZERBO University in case of depression in 2019, using the Theory of planned behavior. This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire, which included medical and pharmacy students from Joseph Ki-Zerbo University who were present during the survey. The Beck Depression Scale was used to determine the prevalence of depression. A logistic regression model was employed to identify factors associated with the utilization of mental health services among students in case of depression. The average age of the students was 23±3 years. Of the 772 students surveyed, 59,7% were male. The prevalence of depression was 11,66%. At the behavioural level, 50,11% of respondents had a good attitude, 56.67% of students had unfavourable perceptions and 52,22% had a good level of perceived behavioural control over the use of mental health centres. The final logistic regression model showed that positive attitude was the only factor significantly associated with the intention to use mental health centres (p=0,044). In Burkina Faso, strategies to motivate students to join mental health facilities in case of depression must be adopted.

Keywords: Depression, students, mental health center.