Depression in a sample of Tunisian adolescents: prevalence, associated factors and comorbidity with anxiety disorders

Author(s):  
Ibtissem Sendi ◽  
Amira Chouikh ◽  
Asma Ammar ◽  
Nabiha Bouafia

Abstract Background Adolescent depression is a significant health problem which can lead to detrimental consequences. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the depression in a sample of secondary school students, to identify its associated factors and to explore the co-occurrence with symptoms of anxiety disorders. Materials and methods We conducted, in March 2017, a cross-sectional study that included, using a cluster sampling technique, 386 students from five public secondary schools in El Kef (Tunisia). Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Arabic versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (13 items) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results The prevalence of depression among participants was 75.9%. Of depressed students, 30.4% had mild depression, 48.8% had moderate depression and 20.8% had severe depression. The logistic regression analysis showed an association between the depression and the female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52–4.17], the 1st and 4th school grades (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.09–2.94), the low and medium socioeconomic status (SES) (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.14–3.18), the school dissatisfaction (OR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.41–5.44) and the anxiety disorders (OR = 5.86, 95% CI: 3.54–9.70). The comorbidity “depression and anxiety” was found in 86.1% of students. Conclusion This high prevalence of depressive symptoms reported in the present study seems to have many implications especially for school health-care services.

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1776-1782
Author(s):  
Shehla Gul ◽  
Muhammad Adnan Bashir ◽  
Sohail Ali

Objectives: The study aimed at determining the frequency and severity of depression in primary caregivers of psychotic patients. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Out-patient as well as in-patient setting of Department of Psychiatry, Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: Six months, from 20th April 2017 to 19th October 2017. Material and Methods: Purposive, non-probable sampling technique was used. A total of 246 caregivers of the same number of psychotic patients were studied after consent, using the General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). The mean total BDI scores were calculated and correlated with the socio-demographic variables. Results: The mean total GHQ-28 score of 246 caregivers was 7.32 (cut off score is >7) which indicate definite psychopathology among them. Out of 246 caregivers, 175 (71.1%) showed scores greater than 7 (GHQ positive) while 71 (28.9%) showed scores less than 7 (GHQ negative). The mean total BDI score of 175 caregivers (who were GHQ positive) was 17.83 (cut off score for depression is >9). Out of 175 GHQ positive caregivers, 72 (41.14%) showed subclinical or no depression, 49 (28%) showed mild depression, 40 (22.86%) showed moderate depression and 14 (8%) showed severe depression on BDI. The results show that there is considerable caregiver burden in relatives of psychotic patients. Conclusion: Caregivers of psychotic patients suffer clinical depression with obvious negative outcomes for the patient. Younger age group, female gender and illiteracy typically carry a greater risk of experiencing higher burden in terms of depression.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayenew Addisu ◽  
Habtamu Gebre ◽  
Sara Tesfaye ◽  
Mola Zewdu ◽  
Meseret Birhanie

Abstract Background Intestinal parasitic infections are the most serious medical and public health problems in developing countries. In Ethiopia, intestinal parasites are among the top ten causes of morbidity, especially in children. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasites among Ethiopian Orthodox church school students in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia. Method: an institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasites among religious students in Gondar town from February 2019 to April 2019, northwest Ethiopia. A total of 360 participants were selected by the random sampling technique. Results In this study, a total of 360 Orthodox Tewahido church school students were participated. The over all parasite prevalence, 24.7% was relatively low compared with previous studies conducted in other localitie in Ethiopia. The predominanat parasites were A. lumbricoides S. mansoni and hookworm with (11.4%), (4.4%) and (3.6%) prevalence respectively, A significant association was observed among participants with habits of frequent swiming with 2.3 times higher probability of acquaring infections, but there was no association with gender, age, finger nail status, the habit of eating uncooked vegetables/ fruits, source of drinking water and proper toilet utilization. Conclusion In general, the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was high and calls for intervention actions on Orthodox Tewahido church students. Moreover, swimming frequency and habits had a significant association. Since the prevalence was high, improvement in awareness and enhancing health seeking behavior of the students, deworming and health education need to be focused on.


Author(s):  
Dr. Vineetha Sreekumar ◽  
Dr. Vasanth C Kurup

Childhood anxiety disorder is one of the emotional disorders which are not due to any abnormalities in brain development or function but improper thoughts and emotions. It has become very common in this world of competition. But these are usually not identified and treated in children. The prime aim of the study is to assess the effective use of individualized Homoeopathic medicines in treating anxiety disorders in school going children of Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. This study also aims to determine the probable causes and also the type of anxiety disorder prevalent in school-going children. A sample of 30 cases presenting with anxiety disorders was selected using purposive sampling technique from school health programs conducted at Sarada Krishna Homoeopathic Medical College, Kanniyakumari district. Every case is subjected to screening using a basic diagnostic tool Screen for child anxiety related emotional disorders (SCARED), and those cases identified with anxiety disorders will be sent for detailed case taking. Medicine was prescribed according to the individualization and totality of symptoms. The improvement was monitored after 3 to 6 months of prescription by recording the variations in the scoring criteria of the SCARED tool.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ayalnesh Asmamaw Kassie ◽  
Temesgen Worku Gudayu ◽  
Bilen Mekonnen Araya

Background. Sexually transmitted infections are major public health concerns that mostly affect adolescents and young people. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess students’ knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice towards sexually transmitted infections and the associated factors. Methods. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 24 to November 4, 2018. A sample size of 845 was calculated and a 1-stage sampling technique was employed. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi-Info 7.2 and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25 software. The descriptive result was presented in text, figure, and tables. Also, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify associated factors. Then the adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were computed. And a p value of <0.05 was considered to assert statistical significance. Results. Half of the respondents (50.5%) had good knowledge on sexually transmitted infections. Also, 46.4% of students had a good preventive practice. However, only 38.4% of students had an appropriate attitude towards sexually transmitted infections. Being a male (AOR: 1.58 (95% CI: (1.19, 2.09)) and having employed father (AOR: 1.97 (95% CI: (1.18, 3.30)) predicted good knowledge. Similarly, secondary and above level of paternal education (AOR: 2.16 (95% CI: (1.28, 3.64)) and having a farmer father (AOR: 1.77 (95% CI: (1.04, 3.02)) predicted appropriate attitude. Predictors of preventive practices included elder age (AOR: 2.33 (95% CI: (1.27, 4.28)), never had sexual intercourse (AOR: 1.44 (95% CI: (1.07, 1.94)), and having good knowledge on STIs (AOR: 1.53 (95% CI: (1.16, 2.02)). Conclusion. The proportion of students that had good knowledge, appropriate attitude, and good preventive practice towards STIs were low. Personal and parental factors predicted students’ knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices. Hence, creating awareness need to be strengthened.


Author(s):  
Shadia Hamoud Alshahrani ◽  
Premalatha Paulsamy ◽  
Selvarani Panneerselvam ◽  
Zainah Alshahrani ◽  
H. Z. Alshahrani Fahad ◽  
...  

As adolescence is a transitional stage in which a person's physical and psychological development and transformation are limited to the time between puberty and legal adulthood. It is commonly associated with the onset of a variety of mental health or adjustment problems. This study was to find out the incidence of depression and the factors that contribute to it among higher secondary school students. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adolescents who were selected by simple random sampling technique. The socio-demographic information, Perceived Social Support scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were adopted to collect the data. Descriptive and Inferential statistics was used to analyse the collected data. In this study, 52% of the adolescents did not have depression, whereas 18% had moderate, 8% had moderate to severe depression and 2% of them had severe depression. Nearly 68% of students had a higher social support perception. The type of family and living status of parents had significant relationship with the level of depression among adolescents at p = 0.01. The study concludes that depression and mental distress among these adolescents may be alleviated by boosting their perceived degree of social support and self-esteem through a variety of methods such as family support, counselling at schools and workshops on self – management skills etc.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niguse Mengesha Habte ◽  
Abulie Takele Melku ◽  
Mulusew Teshome Alemayehu

Background Adolescents is the transition from childhood to adulthood .Which is a time of opportunity, but also one of risk. In Ethiopia, sexual and reproductive health problems of adolescents are increasing from time to time related to many parents not feeling happy to discuss sexual matters in addition to early sexual commencement among adolescents. Objective This study was intended to assess parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health matters and associated factors among secondary and preparatory school students in Robe Town, Bale Zone, South East Ethiopia, 2017. Methods Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 394 secondary and preparatory school students in Robe town from April 10-25, 2017. Simple random sampling technique was used. Data was obtained through the use of a self administered questionnaire and supplemented by focus group discussion with parents. Data was entered using Epi Data 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were done. Data quality was assured through careful questionnaire design, pretest and training. Results One hundred eighty six (47%) of the study participants had discussed at least two SRH issues with their parents. Grade eleven students were about nearly five times more likely discussed on sexual and reproductive matters with their parent compared with grade nine students (AOR: 4.88, 95% CI: 1.76, 13.54). Those living with relatives were 3.13 times less likely discussed as compared to those students are living with both parents (AOR: 0.32, 95%CI: (0.12, 0.80) and the odds of discussion on SRH matters is 2 times higher among females compared with their counterpart (AOR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.26). Conclusions Communication on sexual and reproductive health matters between adolescent and parent was low. Majority of student preferred to discuss with their peers than parent. Being ashamed, parents lack of communication skill and parent knowledge on SRH issues were the major reasons mentioned by the students for not discussing about SRH matters with their parents. Therefore; comprehensive family life education needs to be initiated for the students and parents. Sexual information exchange between peers needs to be strengthened.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 1060-1063
Author(s):  
Sonal Balwantrao Dhobe ◽  
Samrudhhi Subhashrao Gujar

BACKGROUND A broad spectrum of emotional lows, from simple sadness to a pathological suicidal condition is defined as a depression. This is a common mental illness that has been noticed in daily life. Usually, a person who is depressed or feeling unhappy may return to normal emotional health within a specified time. There are times where this condition stretches for such a time that it is greatly overshadowed by the value of the precipitating factor. The patient in a prolonged depression state withdraws from his / her private, social, and professional activities. In some scenarios the diagnosis of depression should be identified. According to epidemiological studies, 15 percent to 20 percent of the children and adolescents experience at least one depressive episode in life and this is a common recurrent and impairing condition that predicts future suicide attempts, academic failure, interpersonal problems, unemployment, substance abuse, and delinquency before adulthood. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of associated factors of depressive symptoms among school going children and to evaluate the association of the prevalence score with selected demographic variables. METHODS This was a cross sectional study with quantitative research approach. The study was conducted in a selected school of Wardha district. Nonprobability convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from school going children. A structured questionnaire including socio demographic details & patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale was used to identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms among school going children. After collecting data, the sample characteristics were described by frequency and percentage. A chi-square test was used to find out the relationship between the association between prevalence of associated factors of depressive symptoms and selected demographic variables. RESULTS In this study 8.89 % of school going children had no depression; minimal depression was seen in 68.89 %; mild depression in 17.88 %, moderate depression in 4.44 %, and moderately severe depression in 0 % of school going children were seen. CONCLUSIONS There was a significant association between the prevalence of associated factors of depressive symptoms among school going children with gender only. KEY WORDS Prevalence, Associated Factors, Depressive Symptoms, School Going Children


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold ◽  
Yosef Tsige Radie ◽  
Nigussie Tadesse Sharew

Background.The emotional consequences of diabetes have been scrutinized by a number of investigative teams and there are varying reports about the association of depression with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, there is limited data about this in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of comorbid depression among type 2 diabetic outpatients.Methods and Materials.Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted on a random sample of 276 type 2 diabetic outpatients from Black Lion General Specialized Hospital. Systematic random sampling technique was used to get these individual patients from 920 type 2 diabetic outpatients who have an appointment during the data collection period. Patients’ depression status was measured using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ 9).Result.Totally 264 type 2 diabetic outpatients were interviewed with a response rate of 95.6%. The prevalence of depression among type 2 diabetic outpatients was 13%. Based on PHQ 9 score, 28.4% (75) fulfilled the criteria for mild depression, 12.1% (32) for moderate depression, 2.7% (7) for moderately severe depression, and 1.5% (4) for severe depression. But 45.8% (121) of patients had no clinically significant depression.Conclusion.This study demonstrated that depression is a common comorbid health problem in type 2 diabetic outpatients with a prevalence rate of 13%.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245801
Author(s):  
Nathakamol Euswas ◽  
Napat Phonnopparat ◽  
Kantapat Morasert ◽  
Pongpisut Thakhampaeng ◽  
Apisit Kaewsanit ◽  
...  

Introduction Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common and serious ocular complications in both developed and developing countries. To date, epidemiological data of DR and their associated factors in Southeast Asian countries especially in Thailand are scarce. We aimed to use the information from the Thailand Diabetes Mellitus/Hypertension (DM/HT) study to determine trends in DR prevalence and also risk factors among Thai patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods A series of cross-sectional surveys of clinical outcomes was conducted annually in 2014, 2015 and 2018 among patients with T2D aged >18 years receiving medical care for at least 12 months. A stratified single stage cluster sampling method that was proportional to the size sampling technique was used to select a nationally and provincially representative sample of patients with T2D in Thailand. A standardized case report form was used to obtain the required information from medical records. Results A total of 104,472 Thai patients with T2D were included in the study from 2014 to 2018. The dominant proportion of participants, 70,756 (67.7%), were females. The overall prevalence of DR declined from 6.9% in 2014 to 6.3% in 2015 and 5.0% in 2018 (p for trend <0.001). The independent associated factors with DR included survey year, greater duration of DM, geographic region, hospital level, social security scheme, dyslipidemia, insulin therapy, high HbA1c level and elevated pulse pressure. Conclusion We reported a decreasing in trend in the prevalence of DR among Thai patients with T2D over one half decade. Patients with T2D should be encouraged to control their underlying diseases and engage in other effective interventions. When these modifiable risk factors can be inhibited, DR and other cardiovascular complications will be alleviated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Biruk Beletew Abate ◽  
Kalkidan Habtamu Gelaw ◽  
Hayelom Fentaw ◽  
Mekonen Ashagire ◽  
Tadesse Mekash

Background. Reproductive health (RH) is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters related to the reproductive system and to its functions and process. Local evidence about adolescents’ reproductive health knowledge level and associated factors are relevant to design age-appropriate interventions strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge level on reproductive health issues among secondary school students in Woldia town. Objective. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge level and associated factors among adolescents in Woldia secondary schools, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. Institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 420 secondary school students in Woldia town from January to June 2019. Multistage sampling technique was employed. A self-administered, structured, and adapted questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was entered by using EpiData version 4.2 and exported to SPSS version 24.0 for analysis. The samples were distributed proportionally based on probability proportional to size (PPS) allocation technique. Participants in each school have been selected by using systematic sampling technique after calculating sample interval (K) for each school. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were carried out to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Result. The prevalence of good knowledge was 204 (48.6%). Residence, educational level, handling of RHS providers, ever gone RHS institution and missed RHS service, had RHS in school, and stigma to utilize RHS were found to be significantly associated with the level of knowledge of respondents on reproductive health issues. Conclusion and Recommendations. The knowledge of respondents on reproductive health issues in the study area was found to be low. Hence, it is better to improve access to information to the secondary school students on RHS through trained health workers and accessible RHS.


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