Epidiological study of depressive disorders among patient attending outpatient clinics of Assiut University Hospital

Depression is a common mental health problem, seen frequently in general medical settings. Primary care physicians are more likely to see patients with depression than with any other disorder except hypertension. To estimate the percentage of depressive disorders among patients attending outpatient clinics of Assiut University Hospitals, and to study the possible risk factors underlying these depressive disorders. This cross-sectional study was conducted during one year period from June 1[st] 2006 to May 31[st] 2007. 2034 subjects aged 15 and above were screened for depression using Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] scale. Subjects who scored 4 or more were further evaluated through psychiatric sheet especially prepared for the present work. Psychiatric diagnosis was made on the basis of DSM-IV TR criteria. Patients were also subjected to Suicidality sheet of the MINI plus and Sheehan Disability Scale. Depression was found in 202 subjects representing 8.8% of the whole sample, with 167 patients [82.7%] were classified as having major depressive disorders, 28 patients [13.9%] were assessed to have depressive disorder NOS [26 patients [12.9%] with minor depression and only 2 patients [1%] with postpartum depression], 5 patients [2.5%] were diagnosed with dysthymic disorder and finally 2 patients [1%] with bipolar disorder, depressive episode. Depression was significantly higher among female subjects, highly educated and literate individuals, non-working males and among divorced/widowed/separated individuals. Depressive disorders were also significantly higher among patients with Dcertain medical conditions [e.g. malignancy, disfiguring conditions, autoimmune conditions, renal diseases and hepatic diseases] and among those who had more medical conditions. The degree of impairment is significantly higher among patients with moderate and severe depression and particularly in patients with severe depression with psychotic features. Suicidality is significantly higher among patients with severe depression and particularly among patients with severe depression with psychotic features. Depression is a common mental health problem, seen frequently in general medical settings and necessitates close psychiatric attention and management

Violence among secondary school students in Assiut district

Violence by young people is one of the most visible forms of violence in society. Violence among adolescents may have serious developmental, physical and mental health consequences for the affected individuals. Violent youth are more likely than their peers to have poor mental health, use drugs, drop out of school, and be delinquent. Describe pattern, magnitude, and determinants of violence among secondary school students. A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 1,404 secondary school students was conducted in Assiut, Egypt, 2004-2005, using a self-administered questionnaire. [Youth self-report] scale of Achenbach was used to measure [aggression], other measures of violence were included: physical fighting and weapon carrying. The main independent variables included in the study were: age, gender, religion, residence, smoking, family bonding, and attitude towards violence, depression, victimization and conflict resolution skills. Results: 59.8% of students were involved in a physical fight in the last 12 months prior to the survey, with significant gender differences and boys being more likely to be involved in such a behavior. Weapon carrying was reported almost exclusively by boys. In the Logistic regression analysis victimization, poor self-control, poor cooperation, and possessing attitudes with a positive violence orientation were found to be strong predictors of aggression and violence. Violence is a seriously growing behavior among secondary school students that needs to be addressed through school health programs investing in healthy development of adolescents pays off in mental health of tomorrow's adults