Depression and Its Associated Factors among Undergraduate Engineering Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Depression is a common mental health problem that can affect everyone at different stages of development. Though the prevalence rate of depression among university students is rising, exploration among engineering students is limited. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of depression and its associated factors of among engineering students in Thailand.

METHODS

A total of 346 students participated in this study. All completed the outcome inventory depression subscale (OI-D) to evaluate the level and prevalence of depression. Other variables assessed included social skills, learning styles, relationship satisfaction, interpersonal difficulty, alcohol use, internet addiction, and neuroticism. Correlation and regression analyses were applied to test the association between sociodemographic and psychosocial factors and depression.

RESULTS

Of the 346 students with the mean age of 20.25 (SD, 1.33), 52.31% were male. Based on the OI-D, 35.3% of participants exhibited symptoms indicative of major depression. Multiple regression showed that only neuroticism, interpersonal difficulties, social skills, and self-esteem appeared to be the significant predictors of depression.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of depression among engineering students in Thailand was unexpectedly high compared with the prevalence of depression among engineering students in some other countries. Intra- and interpersonal factors were found to be associated with depression. Further study on identifying these risk factors should be encouraged.

The effectiveness of ergonomic intervention for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural workers: A systematic review protocol

OBJECTIVE

This review will systematically examine and synthesize existing evidence of the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural workers.

INTRODUCTION

Agricultural workers are at particular risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of their activities and work conditions. Ergonomic interventions designed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders among agricultural workers can benefit their health and productivity.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

The review will consider quantitative study designs. These studies should be about agricultural workers who were involved in occupational situations that might contribute to musculoskeletal disorders.

METHODS

The databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and grey literature will be searched to identify published and unpublished studies reported in English and other languages from 1991 onwards. At least two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and assess the selected full texts against certain inclusion criteria. The identified studies will be assessed for methodological quality using JBI critical appraisal instruments. Data will be extracted, and the effectiveness of the interventions will be determined. Where possible, data will be pooled in a meta-analysis. Data from heterogeneous studies will be reported narratively. The GRADE approach will be used to assess the quality of evidence. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42022321098.

Effectiveness of internet-based psychosocial interventions on psychological distress, expressed emotion, and knowledge about psychosis among family caregivers of people with schizophrenia: a systematic review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of internet-based psychosocial interventions versus active comparators (such as in-person interventions, bibliotherapy, or telephone interventions) and passive comparators (such as usual psychiatric care) on psychological distress, expressed emotion, and knowledge about psychosis in family caregivers of people with schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION

Family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing mental disorders. Despite the widespread dissemination of reliable guidelines for caring for people with schizophrenia and their family caregivers, these have been poorly implemented. Hence, internet-based interventions with caregivers of people with schizophrenia could be an effective and feasible option.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review will include studies focusing on the family caregivers of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Internet-based psychosocial interventions will be defined as any psychosocial intervention that is internet-based compared with active comparators (such as in-person interventions, bibliotherapy, or telephone interventions) and passive comparators (such as usual psychiatric care). The primary outcomes of this review will include psychological distress, expressed emotion, and knowledge about the psychosis of family caregivers of people with schizophrenia. The secondary outcome will be the hospitalization of people with schizophrenia.

METHODS

MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (Ovid), Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses will be systematically searched for published and unpublished studies from 2010 in English and Thai. Two reviewers will select studies, critically appraise them, and perform data extraction independently. Finally, when possible, the studies will be pooled through statistical meta-analysis and grading of the certainty of evidence by each outcome.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42021255318.

Effectiveness of behavioral and psychosocial interventions for continuous positive airway pressure adherence among patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the treatment of choice for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) syndrome; however, interventions to improve CPAP adherence are still inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of behavioral and psychosocial interventions on CPAP adherence.

METHODS

The PRISMA guidelines and JBI approach for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis were used. Participants included 1) newly diagnosed patients with OSA, naive to CPAP treatment; 2) any type of behavioral and/or psychosocial intervention delivered via individual or group level; 3) CPAP adherence as an outcome. Two reviewers independently selected studies, evaluated their methodological quality, and extracted data.

RESULTS

Critical appraisal was conducted on 34 of the 1657 studies, with 18 RCTs included in the final review. Telemonitoring increased the mean nightly hour of CPAP use compared to standard care (WMD = 0.76, 95 % CI = 0.31-1.20, p = 0.001, I² = 0 %, moderate certainty of evidence). Positive results were discovered in Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) (WMD = 1.22, 95 % CI = 0.28-2.16, p = 0.011, I² = 65 %, very low degree of certainty of evidence). The combined effects of cognitive therapy and education on CPAP adherence were inconclusive. Behavioral/supportive interventions improved mean nightly CPAP use in both the short term (WMD = 1.49, 95 % CI = 0.16-2.81, p = 0.029, I² = 30 %, very low certainty of evidence) and long-term follow-up (WMD = 1.67, 95 % CI = 1.55-1.79, p = 0, I² = 0 %, very low certainty of evidence).

CONCLUSIONS

Telemonitoring improved the mean nightly hour of CPAP utilization compared with standard care. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) had the most significant effect on long-term adherence.