scholarly journals Depression Literacy among First-Year University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Yasir Arafat ◽  
M A Al Mamun ◽  
Md. Saleh Uddin

AbstractObjectivesEarly detection of depression has been assumed to lead to its earlier and better care. Increased depression literacy among the general population might play a vital role in the early and successful detection and treatment. We aimed to investigate depression literacy among the first year university students, to be able to compare their depression literacy with those of other previously investigated groups, we hypothesized that depression literacy might be different from other groups such as patients and other subjects from the general population. Knowledge about depression might also be different in female and male students.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among the first-year students of Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh between January and May 2018. A convenience sample of 306 students was randomly identified from a list of students obtained from the authority. Relevant sociodemographic variables were collected. Students were interviewed using the Bangla Depression Literacy scale (D-Lit Bangla). This was a semi structured interview asking for the knowledge on 20 different characteristics of depression. Collected data were analysed to estimate the mean score and 95% confidence intervals of D-Lit Bangla scores.ResultsThe mean score of the correctly identified characteristics of depression was 6.55 (95% CI = 6.31 to 6.89). Only five characteristics of depression were correctly identified by more than 50% participants, that is, sleep change (76.7%), feeling of guilt (75.2%), low self-esteem (81.8%), psychomotor changes (64.6%) and identification of famous people suffering from depression (66.7%). Only a very small portion of the participants correctly knew about psychotic symptoms and different options for the treatment of depression. There were no significant differences between male and female students in the amount and pattern of knowledge of depression.ConclusionsThe study revealed poor literacy status among the first-year university students of Bangladesh. Both male and female gender have similar amount of depression literacy.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumpa Sarker ◽  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Mst. Sabrina Moonajilin ◽  
Mahmudur Rahman ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew ◽  
...  

Early diagnosis of breast cancer is the best approach towards its control that may result in alleviating related mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge about breast cancer and both practices and perceived barriers to breast self-examination among female university students in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 400 female students of Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Participants were sampled from female dormitories at the university from January to April 2020. Proportionate stratified random sampling was conducted to calculate the study sample from each dormitory. A pre-tested, semi-structured self-reported questionnaire was employed to collect data from participants during the survey periods. The questionnaire consists of demographic variables, items about knowledge about breast cancer, breast self-examination practices and its barriers. We applied descriptive and inferential statistics, and data were analyzed using SPSS. Participants aged between 18-26 years and comprised university students of 1st year (20%), 2nd year (24%), 3rd year (22%), 4th year (21%) and Masters (14.%). 18% of them had reported positive family history (mother, aunt, sister/cousin, grandmother) of breast cancer. The overall mean score of total knowledge items was 15 (SD = 3) out of 43, with an overall correct rate of 34%. The mean score of total knowledge items was significantly higher (p<0.001) among Masters students and students with family members who have breast cancer. Only one in five students (21%) ever practiced breast self-examination. The mean score of practice towards breast self-examination was significantly higher (p<0.001) among participants who reported having family member of breast cancer. It is noted that the total knowledge score about breast cancer and practice towards breast self-examination are significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.54; p<0.001). About 33% participants had reported that lack of knowledge as the main barrier to practicing breast self-examination followed by I do not have the symptoms (22%), and shyness/ uncomfortable feelings (17%). The study revealed low levels of knowledge about breast cancer and low breast self-examination practices. This implies the need of promotion and implementation of educational interventions programs that are social and culturally appropriate and suitable for specific age groups.


Genetika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 1009-1019
Author(s):  
Slavko Brankovic ◽  
Dejan Nikolic ◽  
Dragoslav Marinkovic ◽  
Suzana Cvjeticanin

The aim of our study was to evaluate the morphogenetic variability as a marker of smoking dependency in adult smokers versus controls and to investigate the presence and the degree of morphogenetic variability difference between male and female smokers versus same gender controls. The cross-sectional study evaluated 241 smokers and 185 nonsmoker individuals as controls. We analyzed 17 homozygous recessive characteristics (HRC). There was a significant difference in the individual variations of 17 HRCs between the controls and smokers (??2=61.400, p<0.001; for females ??2=79.440, p<0.001; for males ??2=84.972, p<0.001). The mean values of HRCs significantly differed between smokers and controls (MV?SEM(Controls) -4.79?0.13, MV?SEM(Smokers) -5.70?0.12; p<0.001). For males, presence of 6/17 (35.29% genetic homozygosity) HRCs (OR=6.12) was to the certain degree predictor for smoking dependency. Higher degree of genetic homozygosity, changed variability and male gender, might be some among potential numerous factors that could have impact on smoking development and dependence.


Author(s):  
Ubaidullah Abid ◽  
Tooba Jawed Khan ◽  
Asif Sheikh ◽  
Saud Saleem ◽  
Hammad Afzal Kayani ◽  
...  

Background: Pakistan demographic and health survey (PDHS) estimated extensive ownership of cell phones in Pakistan with 94.7% in the urban population. Pakistan Advertiser Company reported 77 % of cell phone users aged between 21-30 years. Although, no research was conducted with university population for addiction and depression, so this study aims to find the link between Smartphone addiction and depression in SZABIST University students of Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted with self-assessment tools, comprised of three sections: socio-demographic information, smartphone addiction scale-short version (SAS-SV) and Beck’s depression inventory-II (BDI-II). Responses for SAS-SV were rated on a 6-point Likert scale and BDI-II was summated on range 0-60. Percentages mean score was commuted for SAS-SV; the mean score was computed and categorized for BDI-II. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.01.Results: Total participants were N=225, of which 140 (62.2%) were males and 85 (35.8%) were females. The mean±SD of their ages were 20.9±2.9. Age was found insignificant with depression after applying multiple linear regressions. Mean score of SAS-SV was 54.8±17.2, and BDI-II was13.4±9.6, which showed a significant positive association (OR, 0.241; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.3; p<0.001). Prior adjusting coefficient, males were speculated having a higher level of depression.Conclusions: A significant positive correlation was found between Smartphone addiction and depression, among University Students of SZABIST. Control smartphones usage is advised for undergraduate students as they are more prone to depression compared to postgraduate students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 1894-1898
Author(s):  
Shahid Ali Mirani ◽  
Syed Yousif Ali Shah ◽  
Muhammad Ameen Sahito

Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the dental students’perception about condition of their gums and teeth and prevalence of dental caries. StudyDesign: Descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: Liaquat University of Medical and HealthSciences. Period: July 2011 to December 2011. Material and Method: The sample size was200 students comprising of both male and female. Clinical Oral examination was performedwith the help of mouth mirror and explorer in dental chair. The perception of dental studentsabout condition of their gums and teeth was obtained through questionnaire. Results: Theresults revealed that 25 % of students in present study had dental decay. The mean DMFT scorewas 0.625. Moreover, the mean DMFT score for male and female students was 0.658 and 0.576respectively. The results about distribution of DMFT components indicated that the decayed(D) teeth were in greatest number followed by filled (F) and missed (M) teeth. Conclusion:There was statistically no significant association between dental caries and gender. Moreover,prevalence of dental caries was significantly different between those who perceived their gumsand teeth condition excellent and good compared to the students who perceived their gumsand teeth condition as poor.


10.2196/18155 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e18155
Author(s):  
Saki Tsukahara ◽  
Satoshi Yamaguchi ◽  
Futaba Igarashi ◽  
Reiko Uruma ◽  
Naomi Ikuina ◽  
...  

Background Maintenance of good health and a healthy lifestyle have significant impacts on the lives of university students. However, university students are prone to engage in risky health behaviors, resulting in impaired health status. Electronic health (eHealth) literacy is an important factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, no studies have assessed the eHealth literacy levels and the associated lifestyle behaviors among university students in Japan. Objective The purposes of this study were to clarify the eHealth literacy level, the participant characteristics associated with eHealth literacy, and the association of eHealth literacy with lifestyle behaviors of students in a Japanese university. Methods A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of 3183 students at a national university in Japan was conducted. eHealth literacy was quantified using the Japanese version of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). The association between participant characteristics (gender, school year, department of study, and living status) and eHEALS score was assessed using t tests. Additionally, the associations of eHealth literacy with lifestyle behaviors (exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.) were evaluated using logistic regression analyses. Results The mean eHEALS score was 23.6/40 points. The mean eHEALS score for students in medical departments was 27.0/40 points, which was 2.9 points higher than that of nonmedical students (P<.001). Similarly, the graduate school participants had higher scores than the undergraduate students. The proportion of participants who exercised regularly was higher in the high eHEALS score group than in the low score group, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.39 (P<.001). Conclusions The eHealth literacy level of university students in Japan was comparable to that of the general Japanese population. Graduate students, as well as those in medical departments, had higher eHealth literacy. Furthermore, students with higher eHealth literacy had better exercise routines.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e52710515370
Author(s):  
Carlos Izaias Sartorão Filho ◽  
Carlos Izaias Sartorão Neto ◽  
Carla Fabiana Souza Guazelli ◽  
Camila Rodrigues Avello ◽  
Ivana Geraldelli Neiva Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) have consequences that negatively affect the population's quality of life and health. Young adults are susceptible to low access to preventive measures and a greater behavior risk. The objective was to evaluate and compare STI' Knowledge in university students from health courses, a public institution, and a private institution of higher education in Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 in Brazil at the FEMA School of Medicine in Assis-SP and the University of the State of São Paulo (UNESP) in Marília in the courses of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy, in undergraduate students, over 18 years of age, through a self-applied questionnaire translated and adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese from the STD-KQ – Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire.Results: 462/700 students participated (66.66%) 18-46 years of age (mean 21.46 years, +/- 3.61), 99 men and 363 women. In the private institution, 262/340 (77.06%), and in the public institution, 200/360 (55.55%). The mean age was 22.21 (+/- 4.21) years among men and 21.25 (+/- 3.41) years among women. The mean percentage of the 28 test questions' correct answers was 52.07%.  The average number of correct responses per student was 17.49 out of 28 possible, 62% (+/-4.97). The distribution between the groups was normal. In the multiple linear regression model for the percentage of correct answers, adjusted for the confounding variables, the intercept was 55.2. The students of the private institution answered 19,655 questions more than the public one (P<.001), and for each semester of graduation, the students answered 1,628 more questions (P<.001). There were no relevant differences regarding the gender and age of the students. Conclusion: there are gaps in STI knowledge among university students in the health area. The students of the first semesters of the courses, and, in particular, students from a public educational institution, had a significantly lower performance of the right in the questionnaire applied. Thus, actions to promote STI knowledge and preventive attitudes are necessary among university students.


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