The prevalence rate and associations of depressive symptoms and smoking among applied medical science students in a large university in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Substance use has a terrible impact on health, behavior and country’s economy because the number of people particularly the youngsters being involved in this practice is increasing rapidly. However, the prevalence, determinants and consequence of substance use in the study area has been overlooked. Methods A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 254 health science students of Haramaya University. The respondents were selected randomly after double stratification based on their department and batch respectively. A pre-tested self–administrable anonymous questionnaire was used. The collected data were entered into epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistical analysis was done to examine findings. Besides, chi-square (X2) test was considered to examine the nonparametric association of factors with ever substance use. Results Prevalence of ever substance use for at least one substance was found to be 114(45.4%). Ever khat chewers take the highest percentage [107(93.9%)] followed by ever smokers 45(39.5%) and ever drinkers 44(38.6%). Among these ever substance users, 80(70.2%) were found to be current substance users. Being a preparatory student (26.3%) and freshman at university (57.9%) were critical times to initiate substance use. Sex, monthly income, sexual risk behavior and family history of substance use were found to be significantly associated with being ever substance user as witnessed by their respective X2 values of 19.67, 72.28, 28.99 and 139.72 at P-value = 0.05 and degree of freedom (df = 1). From the overall ever substance users, 31.6% had undesirable health consequences. Among these consequences, anorexia [40 (35.1%)] accounted for the highest percentage followed by insomnia [29 (25.4%)], depression [25 (22%)], gastritis [25 (22%)], dental caries [23 (20.2%)] and increased sexual activity [12 (10.5%)]. Conclusion Prevalence of ever substance use in the study area was relatively high. Therefore attention should be given to the major reasons for substance use mainly orientation of freshman students about better stress coping mechanisms and expansion of adequate recreational activities.

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The Relationship Of Tobacco Smoking To Depressive Symptoms Among Male Expatriate Workers In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.5455/mjhs.2019.01.005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

Hyacinth Ukuhor ◽

Abdulwahab Alkhami

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Tobacco Smoking ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

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Undergraduate Medical Science Students Positive Attitude towards Online Classes during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.5413 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 59 (234) ◽

Author(s):

Gita Dhakal Chalise ◽

Mamata Bharati ◽

Jayendra Bajracharya ◽

Ambu KC ◽

Subhadra Pradhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Students ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Medical Science ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Online Classes ◽

Science Students ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bachelor Of Science ◽

Medical College

Introduction: The outbreak of COVID-19 led to lockdown, which in turn led to the closure of schools and colleges. This situation created an opportunity to transform the conventional learning methods into an online or virtual method using various digital platforms. Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences started online classes as an alternative way to resume education during this pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to identify the prevalence of medical science students with a positive attitude towards online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic in a medical college of Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods: The study was conducted among 513 students using descriptive cross-sectional study design who were currently studying Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Proficiency Certificate Level Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Nursing Science under the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences. Data was collected from June-July 2020 through an online self-administered questionnaire using Google forms. The results were presented through frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Results: In this study, 112 (87.5%) Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 189 (83.6%) Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and 63 (82.9%) Bachelor of Science in Nursing students had a positive attitude towards online classes, while 51 (61.5%) of Proficiency Certificate Level Nursing students had a negative attitude towards it. Conclusions: Most bachelor-level students had a positive attitude towards online classes. With apositive attitude, students’ participation and adaptability in online classes will be high, resulting inbetter academic performance.

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