scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms among Haramaya University Students in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mitiku Teshome Hambisa ◽  
Andualem Derese ◽  
Tilahun Abdeta

Background. The prevalence of mental health problems including depression is increasing in severity and number among higher institution students, and it has a lot of negative consequences like poor academic performance and committing suicide. Identifying the prevalence and associated factors of mental illness among higher institution students is important in order to administer appropriate preventions and interventions. In Ethiopia, only a few studies tried to report associated factors of depression among university students. Objective. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among Haramaya University students, Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based, cross-sectional study design was conducted among 1040 students. A standard, self-administered questionnaire was used to get data from a sample of randomly selected 1040 undergraduate university students using a multistage systematic random sampling technique. The questionnaire used was the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale which is a self-report 21-item scale that is used to assess the presence of depressive symptoms. All 21 items are rated on a three-point scale (0 to 3). Each question is scored on a 0 to 3 scale, and total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores reflecting greater levels of depressive symptoms. The questionnaire has been well validated as a measure of depressive symptomatology with scores 1-13 indicating minimal depressive symptoms, 14-19 showing mild depressive symptoms, 20-28 showing moderate depressive symptoms, and 29-63 indicating severe depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with depressive symptoms after we dichotomized the depressive symptoms screening tool to “yes/no” depressive symptoms. This means students who did not report any depressive symptoms were given “no” depressive symptoms and who reported at least one (≥1) depressive symptoms were given “yes” (depressive symptoms). Results. A total of 1022 (98.3%) out of 1040 students participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 20.9 years (SD±2.17), and the majority of them (76.0%) were male students. Prevalence of depressive symptoms among undergraduate students was 26.8% (95% CI: 24.84, 28.76). Among those who had reported depressive symptoms: 10%, 12%, 4%, and 1% of students reported minimal, mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis in the final model revealed that being a first-year student (AOR 6.99, 95% CI: 2.31, 21.15, p value < 0.001), being a second-year student (AOR 6.25, 95% CI: 2.05, 19.07, p value < 0.001), and being a third-year student (AOR 3.85, 95% CI: 1.26, 11.78, p value < 0.018) and being divorced/widowed (AOR 5.91, 95% CI: 1.31, 26.72, p value < 0.021), current drinking alcohol (AOR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.72,3.72, p value < 0.001), current smoking cigarettes (AOR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.86, p value < 0.042), and current use of illicit substances (AOR 2.20, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.85, p value < 0.006) were independently associated with depressive symptoms. Having no religion and currently chewing Khat were statistically significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the binary logistic regression analysis but not in the final model. Conclusions. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in this study is high relative to the general population. Sociodemographic factors year of study and current substance use were identified as associated factors of depressive symptoms. Recommendations. This finding suggests the need for the provision of mental health services at the university, including screening, counseling, and effective treatment. Families need to closely follow their students’ health status by having good communication with the universities, and they have to play their great role in preventing depression and providing appropriate treatment as needed. The governments and policy-makers should stand with universities by supporting and establishing matured policies which helps universities to have mental health service centers. Generally, the university and other stakeholders should consider these identified associated factors for prevention and control of mental health problems of university students.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e037792
Author(s):  
Tsegaye Gebremedhin ◽  
Asmamaw Atnafu ◽  
Endalkachew Dellie

ObjectiveThe community-based newborn care (CBNC) is a newborn care package along the maternal and newborn health continuum of care that has been implemented at the community level in Ethiopia. The utilisation which might be affected by several factors has not been well assessed. Thus, this study aimed to examine the utilisation of CBNC and associated factors among women who delivered recently in Geze Gofa rural district, south Ethiopia.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingCommunity-based.ParticipantsThree-hundred seventy-one women who had their newborns recently were randomly selected. Then, they were interviewed at their places using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire.MethodsA binary logistic regression analysis was done. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, a p value of <0.05 and adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI were used to identify factors statistically associated with CBNC utilisation.OutcomesCBNC utilisation.ResultsThe findings showed that the overall utilisation of CBNC by women who delivered recently with their newborns was 37.5% (95% CI: 32.6 to 42.6). Factors associated with the utilisation of CBNC included women who attended elementary school (AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.07), college and above (AOR: 3.71, 95% CI: 1.12 to 12.24), farmer women (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.79), women in the lowest (AOR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.65 to 8.54) and middle quantile of wealth status (AOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.76), and those whose preference was visiting hospital only when they faced any signs of danger (AOR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.78).ConclusionThe use of the CBNC programme in the study area was surprisingly low. To increase utilisation and potentially improve the outcomes of these neonates, we need to increase awareness at community levels, make convenient arrangements and increase the availability of services at nearby health facilities that are essential to improve the uptake of CBNC in the rural district.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfaye Assebe Yadeta ◽  
Yadeta Dessie ◽  
Bikila Balis

Background: Depression of health care workers was related to work absences, resignations, and poor work performance, affecting the quality of patient care and the health care system. The Coronavirus disease pandemic has had an effect on the mental health of health care workers. Health care workers are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions, may put them at higher risk to develop depression. There is limited evidence that assesses health care workers' depression and its associated factors in the study area during the Coronavirus disease pandemic. Therefore this study aimed to assess depression and associated factors among health care workers in eastern Ethiopia.Method: The cross-sectional study design was conducted from October 26th to November 15, 2020. A total of 265 health care workers from 10 health facilities participated. Patient Health Questionnaire was used for the collection of depressive symptoms. The data were analyzed by using STATA version 14 software. To assess the association between depression and the predictors Adjusted Odds Ratio along with a 95% confidence interval was estimated by using logistic regression analysis. A statistical significance was declared at p-value ≤ 0.05.Results: Of the total 265 study participant, 176 (66.4%) and 95% CI: 60.4%, 71.8% of them reported depressive symptoms. Of 176 reported symptoms of depression 27.9, 24.1, 9.4, 3.7, and 1.1% were had minimal, mild, moderate, moderate-severe, and severe depressive symptoms respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the odds of depression were 2.34 times higher among female participants compared to male participants (AOR: 2.34, 95%CI: 1.09-5.02). In addition, the odds of depression for participants who perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 was 4.05 times higher among their counterpart (AOR: 4.05, 95%CI: 1.12-14.53).Conclusions: Health care workers who experienced depression in the study was high. Health care workers' mental health needs to be protected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Female health care workers and health care workers perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 need attention.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harith AL-Amri ◽  
Salim Al-Huseini ◽  
Moon Fai Chan ◽  
Alkhatib Al Saadi ◽  
Nasser Al-Sibani ◽  
...  

Objectives: Many studies suggest that depression is prevalent among patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Notably, both depression and IBD have a significant disease burden. However, these studies have mostly been conducted among European and American populations; there is a paucity of these studies from Arabic countries. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among adult IBD patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted among a random sample of patient's aged18 years and older who attended the gastroenterology clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman between June 2018, and January 2019. Participants were asked to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depression, as well as a sociodemographic survey. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of depressive symptoms among the study sample. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were also reported. Results: This study included 201participants, within average age of 36years. Of this study, 51% were female. The mean duration of the patients’IBD diagnosis was 1.9 years (standard deviation=0.3), the majority of the participants (87%) had ulcerative colitis (n=174), 80% of the participants had received steroids (n=161), and 6% of the sample had a history of a surgical stoma. The medical comorbidities among the participants were cerebrovascular accidents (25%), hypertension (25%) and diabetes mellitus (24%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 23%. The logistic regression analysis resulted in four independent predictors of depression: being female (odds ratio [OR] =2.09, P=0.047), a history of surgical stoma (OR=5.737, P<.001), a comorbid diagnosis of hypertension (OR=2.846, P=0.007), and a history of a cerebrovascular accident (OR=2.651, P=0.011). Conclusion: The present study found that depressive symptoms are prevalent among Omani patients with IBD. Certain clinical factors appeared to increase the risk of depression among this population. The findings of this study fill a gap in the existing literature and call for further work aiming at screening and managing depression among IBD patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Daifallah Almalki ◽  
Mamdouh M. Shubair ◽  
Badr F Al-Khateeb ◽  
Rawan Abdullah Obaid Alshammari ◽  
Saeed Mastour Alshahrani ◽  
...  

Background. Only few studies have investigated the prevalence and risk factors of headaches among the Saudi population. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of headache and to explore its associated risk factors Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. Methods. The multistage sampling technique was used to enroll 1200 population-based participants who were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire about headaches, demographics, and several other parameters such as smoking status and different chronic and psychological illnesses. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to test the association. Results. The overall prevalence of headaches in this study was 3%. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that females were more likely to have headaches than males (odds ratio (OR) 0.735, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.612–1.341; P = 0.024 ). Being a current smoker was also significantly associated with higher “odds” of having headache (OR = 1.319, 95% CI = 0.932–2.462; P = 0.037 ). Participants who were overweight had a significantly higher risk of headache (OR = 1.631, 95% CI = 1.48–1.854; P = 0.037 ). Nonmarried people were significantly more likely to have headache pain, compared to married individuals (OR = 0.875, 95% CI = 0.646–2.317; P = 0.047 ). Conclusion. The prevalence of headaches was 3%, and four significant associated factors were identified: females, nonmarried, smoking, and overweight. The temporality of the relationship between these factors and headache cannot be confirmed in this cross-sectional study; so future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these potential causal relationships.


Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Jaroslava Dosedlova ◽  
Denise Andrzejewski ◽  
Greta Kaluzeviciute ◽  
Makoto Sakai

AbstractPsychological stress has become a major concern, potentially leading to diverse health problems including psychopathology such as depression and anxiety. Transactional Model of Stress and Coping is an established model, conceptualizing stressful experiences via person–environment relationship. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the pathway from stress to depression/anxiety, with a focus on self-criticism (inadequate-self and hated-self) and self-reassurance (reassured-self) in Czech students who suffered from high prevalence of mental health problems. Convenience sample of 119 undergraduates completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and the Forms of the Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale. Correlation and path analyses were conducted. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used to aid an accurate and complete report of the study. Depression, anxiety, and stress were positively associated with inadequate-self and hated-self while negatively associated with reassured-self. Both inadequate-self and hated-self partially mediated the stress–depression and stress–anxiety relationships, whereas reassured-self only partially mediated the stress–depression relationship. Inadequate-self had greater impact on the stress–depression/anxiety pathways than hated-self and reassured-self. Findings indicate that clinical treatment may benefit from targeting the feelings of inadequacy to prevent stress progressing to psychopathology. This is particularly relevant as stress levels are rising globally. Our findings offer developments to the Transactional Model, and help practitioners and educators identify solutions to protect mental health of Czech university students.


Author(s):  
Thomas Volken ◽  
Annina Zysset ◽  
Simone Amendola ◽  
Anthony Klein Swormink ◽  
Marion Huber ◽  
...  

Background: COVID-19 containment measures and the uncertainties associated with the pandemic may have contributed to changes in mental health risks and mental health problems in university students. Due to the high burden of the disease, depression is of particular concern. However, knowledge about the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Swiss university students during the pandemic is limited. We therefore assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their change during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of Swiss university students. Methods: We assessed depressive symptoms in two cross-sectional cohorts of university students (n = 3571) in spring and autumn 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared them with a matched sample of the Swiss national population (n = 2328). Binary logistic regression models estimated prevalence with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Adjusted prevalence of depressive symptoms in female (30.8% (95% CI: 28.6–33.0)) and male students (24.8% (95% CI: 21.7–28.1)) was substantially higher than in the matching female (10.9% (95% CI: 8.9–13.2)) and male (8.5% (6.6–11.0)) pre-pandemic national population. Depressive symptoms in the two consecutive student cohorts did not significantly differ. Conclusions: More than a quarter of Swiss university students reported depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was substantially higher as compared to the matched general population. Universities should introduce measures to support students in such times of crisis and gain an understanding of the factors impacting mental health positively or negatively and related to university structures and procedures.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e037362
Author(s):  
Ben Wamamili ◽  
Mark Wallace-Bell ◽  
Ann Richardson ◽  
Randolph C Grace ◽  
Pat Coope

ObjectiveIn March 2011, New Zealand (NZ) launched an aspirational goal to reduce smoking prevalence to 5% or less by 2025 (Smokefree 2025 goal). Little is known about university students’ awareness of, support for and perceptions about this goal. We sought to narrow the knowledge gap.SettingUniversity students in NZ.MethodsWe analysed data from a 2018 cross-sectional survey of university students across NZ. Logistic regression analysis examined the associations between responses about the Smokefree goal with smoking and vaping, while controlling for age, sex and ethnicity. Confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported where appropriate.ParticipantsThe sample comprised 1476 students: 919 (62.3%) aged 18 to 20 and 557 (37.7%) aged 21 to 24 years; 569 (38.6%) male and 907 (61.4%) female; 117 (7.9%) Māori and 1359 (92.1%) non-Māori. Of these, 10.5% currently smoked (ie, smoked at least monthly) and 6.1% currently vaped (ie, used an e-cigarette or vaped at least once a month).ResultsOverall awareness of the Smokefree goal was 47.5% (95% CI: 44.9 to 50.1); support 96.9% (95% CI: 95.8 to 97.8); belief that it can be achieved 88.8% (95% CI: 86.8 to 90.7) and belief that e-cigarettes/vaping can help achieve it 88.1% (95% CI: 86.0 to 89.9).Dual users of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes had greater odds of being aware of the Smokefree goal (OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.19 to 7.92), current smokers had lower odds of supporting it (OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.27) and of believing that it can be achieved (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.24) and current vapers had greater odds of believing that e-cigarettes/vaping can help to achieve it (OR=8.57, 95% CI: 1.18 to 62.52) compared with non-users.ConclusionsThe results suggest strong overall support for the Smokefree goal and belief that it can be achieved and that e-cigarettes/vaping can help achieve it. Smoking and vaping were associated with high awareness of the Smokefree goal, but lower support and optimism that it can be achieved.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfaldet Mekonnen Estifanos ◽  
Chen Hui ◽  
Afewerki Weldezgi Tesfai ◽  
Mekonnen Estifanos Teklu ◽  
Matiwos Araya Ghebrehiwet ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Youth in general and young females, in particular, remain at the center of HIV/AIDS epidemic. To avoid and prevent HIV infection, comprehensive knowledge as well as correct understanding of transmission and prevention strategies are crucial. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the predictors of comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS and accepting attitude towards PLWHIV. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey. A two-stage probability sampling method was applied and data were collected using a standard questionnaire. Of the total 8674 women aged 15–49 years, 1971 eligible women aged 15–24 years were included in this analysis. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. A Chi-square test followed by logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between specific explanatory variables and outcome variables. The results were reported using odds ratios with 95% confidence interval. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results Overall, 99.3% of the unmarried women aged 15–24 years were aware of HIV/AIDS, but only 51.9% had comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Around 70% of the respondents were aware that "using condoms every time when having sex" and "having only one faithful uninfected partner" can prevent HIV transmission. About 68% of the unmarried women rejected at least two common local misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. An alarmingly small (20.6%) proportion of the respondents had a positive acceptance attitude towards PLWHIV. All variables were significantly associated with having comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. After adjustment, older age (20–24 years), being educated, wealthier, and ever been tested for HIV/AIDS became predictors of adequate comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge. Moreover, respondents with adequate comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS were more likely (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.30–2.08) to have a positive acceptance attitude towards PLWHIV than their counterparts. Conclusion Our study demonstrated a remarkably high level of awareness about HIV/AIDS among study participants, but the knowledge and positive acceptance attitude towards PLWHIV were not encouraging. Thus, endeavors to expand and strengthen educational campaigns on HIV/AIDS in communities, health facilities, and schools are highly recommended. Attention should particularly focus on young-aged and disadvantaged women with low educational level, poor socioeconomic status and those who have never been tested for HIV/AIDS.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Vieira Batistão ◽  
Roberta de Fátima Carreira Moreira ◽  
Helenice Jane Cote Gil Coury ◽  
Luis Ernesto Bueno Salasar ◽  
Tatiana de Oliveira Sato

Abstract Introduction: Postural deviations are frequent in childhood and may cause pain and functional impairment. Previously, only a few studies have examined the association between body posture and intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Objective: To assess the prevalence of postural changes in school children, and to determine, using multiple logistic regression analysis, whether factors such as age, gender, BMI, handedness and physical activity might explain these deviations. Methods: The posture of 288 students was assessed by observation. Subjects were aged between 6 and 15 years, 59.4% (n = 171) of which were female. The mean age was 10.6 (± 2.4) years. Mean body weight was 38.6 (± 12.7) kg and mean height was 1.5 (± 0.1) m. A digital scale, a tapeline, a plumb line and standardized forms were used to collect data. The data were analyzed descriptively using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis (significance level of 5%). Results: We found the following deviations to be prevalent among schoolchildren: forward head posture, 53.5%, shoulder elevation, 74.3%, asymmetry of the iliac crests, 51.7%, valgus knees, 43.1%, thoracic hyperkyphosis, 30.2%, lumbar hyperlordosis, 37.2% and winged shoulder blades, 66.3%. The associated factors were age, gender, BMI and physical activity. Discussion: There was a high prevalence of postural deviations and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors partially explain the postural deviations. Conclusion: These findings contribute to the understanding of how and why these deviations develop, and to the implementation of preventive and rehabilitation programs, given that some of the associated factors are modifiable.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kibeb seid ◽  
Terefe Derso ◽  
atsede mazengia shiferaw

Abstract Introduction Anthrax is an infectious bacterial disease transmitted from infected animal to human by direct or indirectcontact with their products like hides or wool. The most efficient ways of anthrax infection preventions are vaccination of livestock, surveillance, and proper disposal of livestock carcasses in domestic herd.Recently, anthrax infection in humans has been reported from several districts spreadcountrywide and becomes a major public health problem of animals-humans in Amhara region (the study area).Objective This study aimed at determining knowledge of anthrax infection prevention and its associated factors among livestock owners in Sekotazuria district.Method Community based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from April to May, 2018, at Sekotazuria district, Northeast Ethiopia. A total of 844 live-stoke owners were selected from Sekotazuria district using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi-info version 3.5.3, and transferred into SPSS version 20 for further statistical analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 at multiple logistic regression analysis was considered statistically significant.Results The study revealed that good knowledge of anthrax prevention among livestock owners was 55.8% (95%CI: 54.2, 57.4%). According to multivariable logistic regression analysis, secondary and above educational level[AOR=2.97, 95% CI: 1.07, 8.20], age range of 42 – 80 [AOR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.07], and health education about anthrax [AOR=4.25, 95% CI: 2.51, 7.17]were found significantly associated with good knowledge of anthrax infection prevention.Conclusion More than half of livestock owners at SekotaZuria District had good knowledge towards anthrax infection prevention, education level in secondary and above,respondents age category 42-80 years, and health education about anthrax were factors associated with knowledge of anthrax infection prevention. Therefore, health education about anthrax shall be strengthening.


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