Knowledge, Preventive Practices, and Depression Among Chinese University Students in Korea and China During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background Emotional eating (EE), defined as eating in response to a range of emotions, has been previously associated with poor diet and obesity. Since there are limited data from non-Western populations, this study aims to examine the prevalence and factors associated with EE among urban Chinese university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 424 university students (aged 18–24 years) from two large universities in Hong Kong in 2019. Respondents completed an anonymous online questionnaire that contained background questions, an emotional eating subscale of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Two-sample independent t-test and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the association of study variables with negative emotional eating. Results There was over a three-fold higher likelihood of negative EE among females (14.8%) when compared with their male counterparts (4.5%) (OR = 3.7, p < 0.05). Having at least mild depressive symptoms was the only independent factor associated with negative EE among males (OR = 10.1) while for females, negative EE was independently associated with not having a romantic partner (OR = 3.45), having depressive symptoms (OR = 44.5), and having at least mild stress (OR = 5.65). Anxiety levels were not independently associated with negative EE for either gender. Both male and female students with negative EE had significantly lower self-perceived health scores, higher body mass index, and lower life satisfaction scores. Conclusions This study revealed that negative EE is prevalent among female Chinese university students and not uncommon among male students. Management of negative EE should be included as a component of university mental health promotion programmes in the region.

Download Full-text

The Association between Changes in External Environment Caused by Migration and Inappropriate Antibiotic Use Behaviors among Chinese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics8040200 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 200 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jingjing Lu ◽

Xiaomin Wang ◽

Leesa Lin ◽

Ziming Xuan ◽

Yanhong Jessika Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Migrant Students ◽

Migration Status ◽

Chinese University ◽

Chinese University Students ◽

Local Students

Objectives: This study aims to explore how changes in external factors caused by migration impact antibiotic use behaviors among Chinese university students in comparison to their peers from host areas and origin areas. Migration status was determined by host universities and origin areas, which were broadly defined as eastern vs. western regions in China. Methods: This study analyzed secondary data from a cross-sectional study conducted in China about the antibiotic use behaviors of university students in 2015. Students were divided into four groups: eastern local students (E-Es), western local students (W-Ws), eastern–western migrant students (E-Ws), and western–eastern migrant students (W-Es). Results: After controlling for gender, grade, major, hometown (rural or urban), and parents’ education, E-Ws reported a significantly higher odds of asking for antibiotics (OR = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.54–3.03; p < 0.001) and taking antibiotics prophylactically (OR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.32–2.56; p < 0.001) compared with E-Es; W-Es reported a significantly lower odds of asking for antibiotics (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.37–0.83; p < 0.01) and taking antibiotics prophylactically (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.41–0.81; p < 0.01) compared with W-Ws. Discussion: Regional differences likely interacted with students’ migration status in forming different antibiotic use behaviors. Factors including financial incentives and loose regulations of antibiotic over-prescription by health providers and peer influence may contribute to worsened antibiotic use behaviors among E-Ws.

Download Full-text

Knowledge, attitude, preventive practices and perceived barriers to screening about colorectal cancer among university students of newly merged district, Kpk, Pakistan – A cross-sectional study

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/1078155220922598 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107815522092259

Author(s):

Iltaf Hussain ◽

Abdul Majeed ◽

Muhammad F Rasool ◽

Musaddique Hussain ◽

Imran Imran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

University Students ◽

Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Barriers To Screening ◽

Preventive Practices

Introduction Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the world and in Pakistan it ranks at fifth position. The present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, preventive practices and perceived barriers to screening about colorectal cancer among university students. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted after developing a self-administered questionnaire among the university students of newly merged districts of Kpk, Pakistan Result A total of 302 students (232 male and 70 female) participated in the study. The knowledge score of the participants regarding the risk factors and warning signs of colorectal cancer was 59.9% and 40%. More than 90% of the participants were of the view that colorectal cancer diagnosis at initial stages can improve treatment and around 80% were in favor of undergoing regular physical examination to avoid colorectal cancer. Only 37.7% of the participants had intentionally collected information about colorectal cancer. The percentage of participants who intentionally participated in educational activities related to colorectal cancer was 33.1%. Furthermore, only 24.4% of the participant had ever taken part in colorectal cancer screening. The barriers toward colorectal cancer screening were fear of finding colorectal cancer and the anxiety of screening procedures. However, around 32% of the participants had no knowledge about colorectal cancer screening. Conclusion In view of the findings of this study, it can be suggested that community awareness programs that are focused towards screening of colorectal cancer may be initiated in the newly merged districts of Kpk, Pakistan. The implementation of such colorectal cancer screening program can help in its early detection and can potentially lower the associated mortality and morbidity risk with this disease.

Download Full-text

Assessing Knowledge, Preventive Practices, and Depression among Chinese University Students in Korea and China during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9040433 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 433

Author(s):

Bo Zhao ◽

Fanlei Kong ◽

Eun Woo Nam

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

University Students ◽

South Korea ◽

Mainland China ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Chinese University ◽

Chinese University Students

To investigate the knowledge, preventive practices, and depression of Chinese university students living in South Korea and Mainland China during the COVID-19 outbreak and explore the determinants of depression among these students, an online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted from 23 March to 12 April 2020. The online questionnaire included questions on knowledge and preventive practices related to COVID-19, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to diagnose depressive symptoms. A total of 420 Chinese university students were finally included in the study (171 students from South Korea and 249 students from Mainland China). The majority of these students had a good level of knowledge of COVID-19. Students living in South Korea displayed better preventive practices than those living in Mainland China; however, the proportion of students (28.7%) with moderate-to-severe depression in this group was relatively higher than that (18.9%) of the Mainland Group (χ2 = 5.50, p < 0.05). More severe depression was related to high levels of concern about family members and contracting COVID-19 as well as suspecting themselves of having come into contact with patients. Displaying more preventive behaviors decreased the depressive symptoms in both groups. These data could be used as a reference for further studies in different regions to take measures (e.g., psychological counseling and encouragement for physical activities) to reduce depressive symptoms in university students.

Download Full-text