Karl Peltzer1,2,3, Supa Pengpid1,2. 1. a ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon , Nakhonpathom , Thailand. 2. b University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus , Sovenga 0727 , South Africa. 3. c HIV/AIDS/STIs/and TB (HAST), Human Sciences Research Council , Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001 , South Africa.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and association between depressive symptoms, sociodemographic, social and health risk variables among undergraduate students in 26 low, middle and high income countries. METHOD: Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 20222 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD = 2.8) from 27 universities in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America. RESULTS: Overall study participants had a prevalence of 24.0 % moderate and 12.8 % severe depressive symptoms. In multivariate logistic regression, demographic and social variables (being female gender, low organised religious activity, lack of social support and lack of personal control), stressful or traumatic life events (sexual violence and physical child abuse) and health risk behaviour (tobacco use, insufficient brushing of teeth, irregular sleep duration, increased salt intake, infrequent meals a day, heavy internet use and having sustained an injury) were associated with severe depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: High rates of depressive symptoms were found. Several risk factors including social and health risk behaviour variables were identified which can be utilised in guiding interventions.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and association between depressive symptoms, sociodemographic, social and health risk variables among undergraduate students in 26 low, middle and high income countries. METHOD: Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 20222 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD = 2.8) from 27 universities in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America. RESULTS: Overall study participants had a prevalence of 24.0 % moderate and 12.8 % severe depressive symptoms. In multivariate logistic regression, demographic and social variables (being female gender, low organised religious activity, lack of social support and lack of personal control), stressful or traumatic life events (sexual violence and physical child abuse) and health risk behaviour (tobacco use, insufficient brushing of teeth, irregular sleep duration, increased salt intake, infrequent meals a day, heavy internet use and having sustained an injury) were associated with severe depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: High rates of depressive symptoms were found. Several risk factors including social and health risk behaviour variables were identified which can be utilised in guiding interventions.
Entities:
Keywords:
Depressive symptoms; multi-country; risk factors; university students
Authors: Nucharapon Liangruenrom; Kanyapat Suttikasem; Melinda Craike; Jason A Bennie; Stuart J H Biddle; Zeljko Pedisic Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2018-06-14 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Cecilia Luz Balderas-Vazquez; Blandina Bernal-Morales; Eliud Alfredo Garcia-Montalvo; Libia Vega; Emma Virginia Herrera-Huerta; Juan Francisco Rodríguez-Landa; José Felipe Velázquez-Hernández; María Del Carmen Xotlanihua-Gervacio; Olga Lidia Valenzuela Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-01-05