Depression and Its Associated Factors Among Students of a Malaysian University
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Abstract
Introduction: Depression among university students is more prevalent recently. Failure identifying depression leads to academic impairments, delay graduation, and employment enrolment. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of probable depression and its associated factors among a public Malaysian university students. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study utilising consecutive sampling. Demographic, medical, and social factors were gathered using self-report online questionnaires, and probable depression using the Clinical Epidemiological Symptoms of Depression (CESD). Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: Total of 853 students participated. The prevalence of probable depression was 19%, majority being female (97.3%), and from 21 to 29 years age group (68.1%). Univariate analysis showed no significant association between course and other demographic factors. Multiple logistic regression found significant association between bad and worse general health conditions (AOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.61 - 4.30), previous history of depression (AOD 4.79 95% CI 1.61-14.25), psychosis (AOD 13.75 95% CI 1.18-159.70) and bipolar disorder (AOD 32.61 95% CI 3.04-349.57), chronic illnesses (AOD 209.63 95% CI 6.35-6920.31), opinion on importance of exercise (AOR 0.46 95% CI 0.22 – 0.97), reduction in physical activity (AOD 5.54 95% CI 1.37-22.37), bad perception on eating habits (AOD 5.03 95% CI 2.22-11.39), increased eating habits (AOD 2.36 95% CI 1.33-4.19), and less family conflict (AOR 0.34 95% CI 0.20 – 0.59). Conclusions: Findings revealed critical links between depression with medical and social-lifestyle factors, alarming for effective mental health preventative interventions early at university level.
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