Parveen Akhtar1, Lu Ma1, Ahmed Waqas2, Sadiq Naveed3, Yixuan Li1, Atif Rahman4, Youfa Wang5. 1. Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China. 2. Human Development Research Foundation, Pakistan. 3. University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. 4. Institute of Life and Human Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. 5. Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China; Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA.. Electronic address: youfawang@gmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Though university years are peak time for the onset of many mental health problems including depression, knowledge on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in LMICs. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and WHO Global Health Library for studies published between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies conducted in LMICs (as defined by World Bank), having a sample size≥500 and published in English were identified. Data on study characteristics and prevalence of depressive symptoms was extracted by two investigators. Estimate of prevalence was pooled in meta-analysis using random-effects meta-analysis. Sub-group differences were estimated using mixed-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms prevalence data were extracted from 37 studies involving 76,608 individuals in 20 countries. Studies on depression among university students in LMICs were limited, and most were based on non-representative and small study samples. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 24.4% (95% CI, 19.2% -30.5%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence did not vary by study design, sampling technique, sample size, study major, educational level, economic regions, and screening instrument. LIMITATIONS: Only English language studies were included. Included studies were diverse in design, screening tool, and sample size that introduced substantial heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Overall prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in LMICs was 24.4%, however, finding should be interpreted with caution. Further research is needed to address the issue.
INTRODUCTION: Though university years are peak time for the onset of many mental health problems including depression, knowledge on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in LMICs. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and WHO Global Health Library for studies published between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies conducted in LMICs (as defined by World Bank), having a sample size≥500 and published in English were identified. Data on study characteristics and prevalence of depressive symptoms was extracted by two investigators. Estimate of prevalence was pooled in meta-analysis using random-effects meta-analysis. Sub-group differences were estimated using mixed-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression. RESULTS:Depressive symptoms prevalence data were extracted from 37 studies involving 76,608 individuals in 20 countries. Studies on depression among university students in LMICs were limited, and most were based on non-representative and small study samples. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 24.4% (95% CI, 19.2% -30.5%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence did not vary by study design, sampling technique, sample size, study major, educational level, economic regions, and screening instrument. LIMITATIONS: Only English language studies were included. Included studies were diverse in design, screening tool, and sample size that introduced substantial heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Overall prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in LMICs was 24.4%, however, finding should be interpreted with caution. Further research is needed to address the issue.
Authors: Mercilene Tanyaradzwa Machisa; Esnat Chirwa; Pinky Mahlangu; Ncediswa Nunze; Yandisa Sikweyiya; Elizabeth Dartnall; Managa Pillay; Rachel Jewkes Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-28 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Emily N Satinsky; Tomoki Kimura; Mathew V Kiang; Rediet Abebe; Scott Cunningham; Hedwig Lee; Xiaofei Lin; Cindy H Liu; Igor Rudan; Srijan Sen; Mark Tomlinson; Miranda Yaver; Alexander C Tsai Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-07-13 Impact factor: 4.379