Depresinių simptomų paplitimas ir sąsajos su gyvensenos veiksniais Lietuvos gyventojų tarpe
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Author: Aaron Thomas Research title: Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Relationship with Lifestyle Factors in Lithuanian Population. Research aim: To analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Lithuanian residents and its relationship with demographic characteristics and life style factors. Objectives: 1. To analyze and compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Lithuanian residents and its relationship with demographic characteristics. 2. To analyze and compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Lithuanian residents and its relationship with smoking and alcohol consumption. 3. To analyze and compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Lithuanian residents and its relationship with physical activity. 4. To analyze and compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Lithuanian residents and its relationship with nutritional habits. Methodology: This study analyzed the mental health and life style factors data collected from Lithuanian population in the year 2019. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) was used as a tool to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms of Lithuanian residents’ and its relationship with demographic characteristics, physical activity, nutritional habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption were analyzed during the research. A specific sample survey of Lithuanian population in the age group of 18 and above was used to obtain data. Results: Age, gender, marital status, and education levels were some of the socio-demographic factors which differed significantly between the groups. Within the sample, those who had more times of vigorous movement and faithful nutritional intake suffered from less mild depression. Furthermore, a positive connection between no alcohol usage or excessive alcohol usage and depression was discovered. Discussion: The results emphasize the importance of targeted programs which aim to solve mental health inequalities among several millions of people and tell people how to live healthily. Conclusion: There were higher rate or prevalence of depressive symptoms connected to people of older age, women, single or unmarried, unemployed and people of lesser education. Additionally, people who fell into the category of lower health status, higher BMI, people with chronic illnesses, people who had activity limitation due to chronic illnesses, people with physical pain and physical pain interference with work, people who consumed prescribed and unprescribed medications all showed increased prevalence of depressive symptoms. Surprisingly, smoking did not show an increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms and may need a larger study with more participants to form an accurate conclusion. People who drank alcohol at high levels or who did not consume alcohol at all reported more to having depressive symptoms. People who reported taking part in moderate-to-intense physical activities such as cycling, sports and muscle strengthening activities had lower rates of depression symptoms. People with physical inactivity, longer sitting time, infrequent and less walking reported to higher prevalence of depressive symptoms. Similarly, the fourth objective’s exploration of nutritional habits and depressed symptoms discovered that having a nutritious diet can reduce the risk of depression. Findings from the study have been collected to show that a diet high in vegetables and fruit or vegetable juices are associated with a lower risk of depression. Conversely, a diet rich in fruits and soft drinks did not show significant association and therefore might require a more elaborate study with more participants to form an accurate conclusion.
Author: Thomas, Aaron Aniyan
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132541167