ABSTRACT
<B>Objective</B><BR>Despite the steady high prevalence of infectious diseases, Sri Lanka has an increasing awareness of lifestyle-related health diseases. To lower their risks in the future, making better lifestyle choices and establishing patterns of healthy behavior during young adulthood are essential. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore current issues of university students' health behaviors and their environments.<BR><B>Methods</B><BR>The study was conducted in a university of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Four graduate students in the Faculty of Medicine and three senior students in the Faculty of the Arts were interviewed in a focus group. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed inductively.<BR><B>Results</B><BR>The results yielded three core categories: little interests in health, unhealthy lifestyles, and lower usage of the Student Health Center. In addition, three major health problems were observed among the participants: eating habits, substance use, and mental health. Students had little paid attention to their health. It also showed passive participation on a health check-up. Additionally students' hidden risky behaviors were observed: alcohol intake and smoking. Mental health problem is one of the great health concerns among the students. Although the School Health Center was available, the gaps between its provisions of services and students' needs are an important issue.<BR><B>Discussion and Conclusion</B><BR>Students need to pay more attention on their health conditions and the importance of preventive health. Furthermore, to improve the current university health services, accessibility, usability, and students' needs should be carefully reviewed in the context of advocacy of preventive health behaviors.
ABSTRACT
<B>Objective</B><BR>The purpose of this article is to investigate the extent of depressive symptoms among international students and the characteristics of those at risk.<BR><B>Methods</B><BR>Evidence is derived from self-administered questionnaire interviews of 480 international students enrolled in a university in northern Japan. Depressive symptoms are measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. The associations of socio-demographic characteristics with depressive symptoms are examined using multiple logistic regression analysis.<BR><B>Results</B><BR>Of the 480 respondents, 197 (41%) have depressive symptoms. The results indicate that gender, course category, and residential arrangement are significantly associated with the risk of having depressive symptoms.<BR><B>Discussion</B><BR>Depressive symptoms are relatively prevalent, but these are not a generalized condition since these tend to occur among specific sub-groups of international students. There is a need to further investigate the mental illness so that those with elevated risks are identified and given support.