ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of depression among university students. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out across randomly selected universities in Shandong Province from October 25, 2023, to November 8, 2023. Demographic information and KAP scores were assessed through the administration of questionnaires. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.816 and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of 0.894. RESULTS: This study included 2448 university students, with 1489 (60.8%) females. The median scores for KAP were 20 (Interquartile Range (IQR): 17-21), 26 (IQR: 23-28), and 35 (IQR: 32-38), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that being a junior (odds ratio [OR] = 0.720, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.538-0.965, p = .028), senior or above (OR = 0.474, 95% CI: 0.325-0.691, p < .001), having divorced parents (OR = 0.618, 95% CI: 0.409-0.933, p = .022), having direct relatives with depression (OR = 0.710, 95% CI: 0.589-0.856, p < .001), and lacking intimate friends (OR = 0.344, 95% CI: 0.245-0.484, p < .001) were negatively associated with practice. Only having an attitude score of ≥26 (OR = 5.076, 95% CI: 4.230-6.091, p < .001) was significantly and positively associated with practice. CONCLUSION: University students had insufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and passive practice toward depression. Clinical interventions should focus on enhancing the understanding and management of depression among university students, particularly through targeted educational programs and support groups, to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice and foster a proactive approach to mental health care.
Subject(s)
Depression , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Students , Humans , Female , Students/psychology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Male , Universities , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/epidemiology , Young Adult , Adult , Surveys and Questionnaires , China/epidemiology , AdolescentABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene Val66Met polymorphism and clinical characteristics of first episode schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: Genotyping of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was carried out for 135 schizophrenic patients and 483 healthy controls with TaqMan probe technology. The patients' psychotic symptoms were assessed using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). RESULTS: A significant difference was found in genotype distribution and allelic frequency of the Val66Met polymorphism between the two groups (P< 0.01). In patients, Met homozygotes had a significantly higher score in anxiety/depression factor, cognitive factor and total score of PANSS than Val carriers. CONCLUSION: BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism is associated with the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The Met/Met genotype of BDNF Val66Met variant may be a risk factor for symptoms in first episode schizophrenia patients.