Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia. Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Medicina. Curso de graduação em Psicologia. Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
Rev Saude Publica. 2020 Jan 31;54:11. doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054001540. eCollection 2020.
Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world, and it has been increasingly affecting young people. This study evaluates the prevalence and factors associated with major depression in university students, with emphasis on the influence of the academic field, chosen study area and the environment they are inserted.
A census of students who entered the university in the first semester of 2017 was held at a university in Southern Brazil. The outcome of major depressive episode was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, considered when the individual had five or more depressive symptoms for at least one week. Its prevalence was estimated, and the associated factors were examined by the hierarchical multivariable analysis using the Poisson regression model.
A total of 32% (95% confidence interval 29.9-34.2) of university students presented a major depressive episode, and the problem was more frequent among women (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.59); people aged 21 to 23 years (PR = 1.24); those with a family history of depression (PR = 1.27); minorities' sexual orientation (homosexuals, PR = 1.64, and bisexuals, PR = 1.69); who lived with friends or colleagues (PR = 1.36); students in the area of applied social and human sciences (PR = 1.28), and linguistics, language and literature, and art (PR = 1.25). The worst academic performance (PR = 2.61), alcohol abuse (PR = 1.25), and illicit drug use (PR = 1.30) were also positively associated with major depressive episode.
In addition to individual, family, and behavioral aspects, already described as risk factors for major depressive episodes in the general population, academic aspects also influence the occurrence of depression among university students. Considering the high prevalence of major depressive episode and its negative impact on health, public and institutional policies are necessary to focus on students' mental health promotion and care.
抑郁症是全球范围内导致残疾的主要原因，且其发病率呈逐渐上升趋势，尤其在年轻人中更为明显。本研究旨在评估大学生中重度抑郁症的患病率及相关因素，重点关注学术领域、所选专业领域以及他们所处的环境对其的影响。
在巴西南部的一所大学，对 2017 年第一学期入学的学生进行了普查。采用患者健康问卷-9 评估重度抑郁发作的结果，当个体出现至少一周的 5 个或更多抑郁症状时，即被认为患有重度抑郁发作。我们估计了其患病率，并通过使用泊松回归模型的分层多变量分析，研究了相关因素。
共有 32%（95%置信区间 29.9-34.2）的大学生患有重度抑郁发作，女性的患病率更高（患病率比 [PR] = 1.59）；年龄在 21 至 23 岁之间（PR = 1.24）；有抑郁症家族史（PR = 1.27）；少数群体的性取向（同性恋者，PR = 1.64，双性恋者，PR = 1.69）；与朋友或同事同住（PR = 1.36）；就读于应用社会和人文科学领域（PR = 1.28）以及语言学、语言文学和艺术领域（PR = 1.25）的学生。学业成绩最差（PR = 2.61）、酗酒（PR = 1.25）和非法药物使用（PR = 1.30）也与重度抑郁发作呈正相关。
除了已被描述为普通人群重度抑郁发作风险因素的个体、家庭和行为方面外，学术方面也会影响大学生抑郁的发生。鉴于重度抑郁发作的高患病率及其对健康的负面影响，需要制定公共和机构政策，重点关注学生的心理健康促进和关怀。
