scholarly journals The relationship between depression risk perception and self-help behaviors in high risk Canadians: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Warner ◽  
Molly Nannarone ◽  
Rachel Smail-Crevier ◽  
Douglas Manuel ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Effective self-help may reduce the risk of depression, and risk perception of depression may play a role in initiating self-help. However, it is currently unknown how risk perception is associated with self-help behaviours. The objectives of this study are to (1) describe the self-help strategies used by high risk Canadians in relation to the accuracy levels of their perceived depression risk, relative to sex, and (2) identify demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors associated with self-help behaviors.Methods: Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial including 358 men and 356 women at high risk of developing depression were used. Accuracy of risk perception was determined by comparing the participant’s self-perceived and objective risk of developing depression, which was assessed using sex-specific multivariable risk predictive algorithms. The frequency of using 14 self-help strategies was assessed. One-way ANOVA testing was used to determine whether differences in risk perception accuracy groups existed within both male and female participants. Linear regression was used to investigate the clinical and demographic factors which were associated with self-help behaviours in males and females separately.Results: Compared to accurate risk estimators, male over-estimators were less likely to “leave the house daily,” and “participate in activities they enjoy.” Male under-estimators were also less likely to “participate in activities they enjoy.” Both ‘inaccurate’ perception groups in men were more likely to ‘create lists of strategies which have worked for feelings of depression in the past and use them’. There were no significant differences between self-help behaviors and the risk perception accuracy in women. Regression modeling showed negative relationships between self-rated health and self-help scores, irrespective of sex. In women, self-help score was positively associated with age, and educational attainment, and negatively associated with perceived risk. In men, a positive relationship with unemployment was also seen. Conclusions: Sex differences exist in the factors associated with self-help. The accuracy of risk perception, work status, and self-rated health is associated with self-help behaviors in high risk men. Factors which may be related to self-help in women include age, education, self-rated health status, and perceived risk. More research is needed to replicate the findings.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Warner ◽  
Molly Nannarone ◽  
Rachel Smail-Crevier ◽  
Douglas Manuel ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tosin Philip Oyetunji ◽  
Oyelakin ◽  
Olusegun Ayomikun Ogunmola ◽  
Olorunyomi Felix Olorunsogbon ◽  
Foluso O. Ajayi

Abstract Background: Pandemics such as the current COVID-19 pandemic are often associated with heightened fears and significant adjustments in health behaviours. Aim: This study was aimed to assess perceived risk, anxiety and protective health behaviours of the general public during the early phase of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in NigeriaMethods: A cross-sectional study among 1197 respondents aged 18 years and above between April 27th to May 16th, 2020. Result: More than half (61.9%) of the respondents have high risk perception towards COVID-19. Using the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, high anxiety level was found in 37.2% of the study respondents. Male gender (OR=1.38,CI=1.09-1.74), being employed (OR=1.53,CI = 1.21- 1.95) and high risk perception (OR=1.33, CI = 1.05-1.69) were positively associated with observance of more than one protective measure against COVID-19. Having not more than 12 years of education (OR=0.51, CI=0.32-0.81) was negatively associated with observance of more than one protective behaviour. High risk perception (OR=1.82; CI=1.42-2.34), having not more than 12 years of education (OR=1.73; CI= 1.13-2.64), and being employed (OR =1.29; CI=1.01-1.64) were positively associated with anxiety. Being aged 25-34 years (OR=0.34; CI =0.12-0.94) and being aged 35-54 years (OR=0.30; CI=0.10-0.85) were found to be protective against developing COVID-19- related anxiety.Conclusions: This study showed that risk perception has influence on both anxiety and observance of protective behaviours. Being a novel experience, this research has implications to support current and future response to a pandemic experience.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 971-979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Novak ◽  
Lovro Štefan ◽  
Arunas Emeljanovas ◽  
Brigita Mieziene ◽  
Ivana Milanović ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulcin Yapici ◽  
Oya Ögenler ◽  
Ahmet Öner Kurt ◽  
Fazıl Koçaş ◽  
Tayyar Şaşmaz

Background. Environmental destruction is one of the most important problems in this century. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the environmental attitudes and perceived risks associated with environmental factors of the students. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 7 faculties of Mersin University. The research data were collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, the “Environmental Attitudes Scale,” and the “Environmental Risk Perception Scale.” 774 students who filled out questionnaires were evaluated. Results. The sample included 55.8% females. Environmental Attitudes Scale mean scores of students were identified as 81.1±11.3. The highest perceived risk was release of radioactive materials associated with nuclear power generation. The environmental attitudes and risk perception scores were higher in Health Sciences than in the other faculties. Females were more positive towards the environment and had higher risk perceptions than the men. There is a negative correlation between age and resource depletion risk and global environmental risk score. Conclusion. Students had a positive attitude to the environment and had moderate-level risk perception about the environment. Environmental awareness of students, especially those studying in the Social Sciences, should be increased. The environmental education curriculum should be revised throughout all the courses.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyan Yi ◽  
Sovannary Tuot ◽  
Pheak Chhoun ◽  
Carinne Brody ◽  
Khuondyla Pal ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Katherine J. Bernard ◽  
Sulakshana Baliga

Background: ‘High-risk’ pregnancies account for a significant proportion of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Simple prenatal scoring systems can be used to assess risk status of pregnancy and inform subsequent management. Their use in rural areas and low-resource settings could be of particular benefit. This study employed pregnancy risk status assessment in one such area of rural India. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of low, moderate and high-risk pregnancy among women in a rural area of Belagavi and to identify factors associated with high-risk pregnancy status.Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 105 pregnant women of all trimesters presenting to antenatal clinics in the Kinaye area of Belagavi, Karnataka, during July 2018. Information on risk factors and socio-demographic details were collected using a questionnaire, and individual risk scores calculated through a scoring system. This was used to estimate prevalence of low, moderate and high-risk status among participants, and subsequently compared against selected variables to identify factors associated with high risk pregnancy status.Results: Prevalence of high-risk pregnancy among participants was 31.4%, moderate-risk 30.5%, low-risk 29.5% and ‘no risk’ 8.6%. Maternal undernutrition was an important factor associated with high-risk pregnancy.Conclusions: This study highlights the need for early identification and appropriate management of such cases, in order to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes. The prenatal scoring system used in this study offers a simple method for risk status assessment in pregnant women of all trimesters, suited for use in antenatal clinics in rural areas of India.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fifonsi Adjidossi Gbeasor-Komlanvi ◽  
Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽  
Ama Boilassi Adjonko ◽  
Wendpouire Ida Carine Zida-Compaore ◽  
Nicolas Konan Kouakou ◽  
...  

The number of older adults is increasing worldwide, including in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is a paucity of data on the overall health status of older adults living in SSA. To assess the prevalence and factors associated with poor Self-Rated Health (SRH) among community-dwelling older adults in Lomé, Togo, we conducted a cross-sectional study from January to June 2019 in Lomé among community-dwelling older adults aged 50 years and older. A 30- minute questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, patterns of medication use and use of herbal products and dietary supplements during a face-to-face interview. SRH was assessed using a single item: Overall, you would say that your health is… (1) excellent, (2) very good, (3) good, (4) fair and (5) poor with response fair or poor defining poor SRH. A total of 344 respondents with median age 63 years, (IQR: 55-72) were enrolled in the study. Women represented 57.6% of the sample. Overall prevalence of poor SRH was 56.4% (95%CI: 51.0-61.9) and was the highest among females (62.6% vs 47.9%; P=0.007) and participants >60 years (61.5% vs 51.1%; P=0.021). Female sex, aged ≥60 years, osteoarthritis, hospitalization within the 12 months preceding the survey, polypharmacy, and the use of herbal products were factors associated with poor SRH (P<0.05). More than half of community- dwelling older adults had poor SRH in Lomé. Further studies are needed to guide policymakers in their efforts to design and implement meaningful policies to improve older adults health conditions.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0238985
Author(s):  
Raha Maroyi ◽  
Nyakio Ngeleza ◽  
Laura Keyser ◽  
Katenga Bosunga ◽  
Denis Mukwege

Prenatal care (PNC) and counseling about delivery method is an important strategy to prevent delivery complications among women with multiple prior Cesarean sections (CS). In low income countries, an elective CS is recommended for this population. This cross-sectional study examined factors associated with counseling about delivery method and its influence on the likelihood of an elective CS delivery. A total of 422 women with ≥2 prior CS who delivered across five hospitals in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were interviewed about PNC and counseling. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression were completed to ascertain factors associated with counseling. Only 33.6% delivered via planned CS; 60.7% required an emergency CS. One-quarter completed four PNC visits; 64.5% received counseling. Number of PNC visits and number of prior CS were significant predictors of receipt of counseling. Women who received ≥2 PNC visits were 2.2 times more likely to have received counseling (p = 0.000). Among women who received counseling, 38.6% had a planned CS compared with 24.7% in the non-counseled group. Counseling was associated with mode of delivery; emergency CS and vaginal delivery were more frequent among women who did not receive counseling (p = 0.008). These findings highlight the importance of counseling during PNC visits. This study also highlights the poor coverage and quality of counseling in this high-risk population and the need for improvements in PNC. Less than 40% of counseled women followed provider recommendations for a planned delivery via CS. The majority labored at home and later delivered emergently. The significant number of women who trial labor without medical supervision despite their high-risk status sheds light on the influence of patient perceptions about CS and acceptance of medical intervention during birth.


Author(s):  
Brian Loloji ◽  
Foster Munsanje ◽  
Titus Haakonde ◽  
Mwanamwaka Samanyama

Background: Shisha smoking in Zambia, referring to the way of smoking tobacco in which the vapor passes through water before inhalation, is seen as a new practice, especially among youths of 18 to 25 age group. Factors associated with this practice have not yet been established. This study aimed at assessing the factors associated with shisha smoking among students at Evelyn Hone College.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 347 Evelyn Hone College students selected using convenience sampling method. Data collection was by pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Chi-squared statistical tests were used to determine the association between the independent variables, which were demographic, social, environmental, cultural and personal factors, and the dependent variable being shisha smoking using SPSS version 18.Results: The study revealed that shisha smoking was significantly associated with age of the smoker, level of income, peer pressure and knowledge levels of the smokers on adverse effects associated with shisha smoking. These relationships were determined by the logistical regression output which showed that age [OR=1.802 (1.152-2.818), p<0.05)], friends smoke cigarette/shisha [(OR=4.417 (1.760-11.086), p<0.05)], monthly allowance/income [(OR=0.663 (0.456-0.965), p<0.05)] and perceived risk [(OR=0.084 (0.046-0.154), p<0.05)] which all showed significant association with shisha smoking.Conclusions: Interventions to reduce or quit shisha smoking among students need to have extended policies that apply to cigarette smoking. Additionally, health education campaigns against shisha smoking should as well be packaged in the anti-smoking messages targeting the youths.


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