Assessment of the quality of life and mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and the presence of symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and stress among students in the healthcare field, in comparison to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional research was conducted at a Brazilian public university. QOL was assessed using the WHOQOL-bref scale, while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were evaluated using the DASS-21 scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed to compare the two time periods. RESULTS: A total of 355 students participated in this study. During the pandemic, there were significant increases in severe depression symptoms (15.1% versus 24.8%), moderate anxiety (18.3% versus 29.4%), and moderate stress (40.9% versus 53.8%) observed among the participants. Additionally, a significant reduction in QOL was noted, particularly in the domain of social relationships (65.2 versus 59.6, p-value 0.029). CONCLUSION: The study highlights a deterioration in both the quality of life and the mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes del área de la salud e impacto en la calidad de vida / Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in health students and impact on quality of life / Sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em estudantes da saúde e impacto na qualidade de vida

Objetivo: evaluar la asociación entre la calidad de vida y la presencia de síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes universitarios del área de la salud. Método: estudio transversal que incluyó a 321 estudiantes de carreras del área de la salud. La calidad de vida se midió mediante la escala de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, versión abreviada, en los dominios físico, psicológico, relaciones sociales y ambiente, y los síntomas se evaluaron por la escala de depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Se realizó un análisis multivariante por medio de regresión lineal robusta para evaluar la asociación entre la calidad de vida y los síntomas presentados. Resultados: se observó una asociación negativa entre la calidad de vida y los síntomas de depresión en todos los dominios, mientras que los síntomas de ansiedad tuvieron una asociación negativa en el dominio ambiente, y los síntomas de estrés tuvieron una asociación negativa en el dominio psicológico. La gravedad de los síntomas se asoció desfavorablemente con la calidad de vida, es decir, cuanto mayor la gravedad de los síntomas, menores las puntuaciones medias en todos los dominios. Conclusión: los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés fueron prevalentes e impactaron negativamente en la calidad de vida de los estudiantes, especialmente en presencia de síntomas depresivos. Las puntuaciones disminuidas se asociaron significativamente con la gravedad de los síntomas.

Objective: to evaluate the association between quality of life and presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in college students in the health area. Method: cross-sectional study that included 321 students from undergraduate courses in the health area. Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization scale, abbreviated version, in the physical, psychological, social relations and environment domains, and symptoms were assessed by the depression, anxiety and stress scale. Multivariate analysis was performed using robust linear regression to evaluate the association between quality of life and symptoms. Results: a negative association was observed between the quality of life and depression symptoms in all domains, while anxiety symptoms showed a negative association in the environment domain, and stress symptoms had a negative association in the psychological domain. Symptom severity was unfavorably associated with quality of life, that is, the greater the symptom severity, the lower the mean scores in all domains. Conclusion: symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were prevalent and had a negative impact on students' quality of life, especially in the presence of depressive symptoms. The decrease in scores was significantly associated with the severity of symptoms.

Objetivo: avaliar a associação entre qualidade de vida e presença de sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em estudantes universitários da área da saúde. Método: estudo transversal que incluiu 321 estudantes de cursos de graduação da área da saúde. A qualidade de vida foi mensurada por meio da escala da Organização Mundial da Saúde, versão abreviada, nos domínios físico, psicológico, relações sociais e meio ambiente, e os sintomas avaliados pela escala de depressão, ansiedade e estresse. Foi realizada análise multivariada utilizando regressão linear robusta para avaliar a associação entre qualidade de vida e sintomas apresentados. Resultados: observou- se associação negativa entre qualidade de vida e sintomas de depressão em todos os domínios, enquanto os sintomas de ansiedade apresentaram associação negativa no domínio meio ambiente, e os sintomas de estresse tiveram associação negativa no domínio psicológico. A gravidade dos sintomas associou-se de forma desfavorável com a qualidade de vida, ou seja, quanto maior a gravidade dos sintomas, menor a média dos escores em todos os domínios. Conclusão: sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse mostraram-se prevalentes e com impacto negativo na qualidade de vida dos estudantes, principalmente na presença de sintomas depressivos. A diminuição dos escores foi significativamente associada à gravidade dos sintomas.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in university students from public institutions of higher education in Brazil during the covid-19 pandemic: a multicenter study

This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study carried out with students regularly enrolled in undergraduate courses at eight Brazilian IFES. Data collection was conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 using an online self-completed questionnaire, which addressed sociodemographic and academic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and health conditions. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Variables were analyzed descriptively using frequency distribution and Pearson's chi-square test. To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression, the proportion and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used. The level of adopted statistical significance was 5%.

Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in health students and impact on quality of life. / Síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes del área de la salud e impacto en la calidad de vida.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the association between quality of life and presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in college students in the health area. METHOD: cross-sectional study that included 321 students from undergraduate courses in the health area. Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization scale, abbreviated version, in the physical, psychological, social relations and environment domains, and symptoms were assessed by the depression, anxiety and stress scale. Multivariate analysis was performed using robust linear regression to evaluate the association between quality of life and symptoms. RESULTS: a negative association was observed between the quality of life and depression symptoms in all domains, while anxiety symptoms showed a negative association in the environment domain, and stress symptoms had a negative association in the psychological domain. Symptom severity was unfavorably associated with quality of life, that is, the greater the symptom severity, the lower the mean scores in all domains. CONCLUSION: symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were prevalent and had a negative impact on students' quality of life, especially in the presence of depressive symptoms. The decrease in scores was significantly associated with the severity of symptoms.

Assessment of the quality of life and mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic / Evaluación de la calidad de vida y la salud mental de estudiantes de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Avaliação da qualidade de vida e saúde mental de estudantes da saúde durante a pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and the presence of symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and stress among students in the healthcare field, in comparison to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional research was conducted at a Brazilian public university. QOL was assessed using the WHOQOL-bref scale, while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were evaluated using the DASS-21 scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed to compare the two time periods. Results: A total of 355 students participated in this study. During the pandemic, there were significant increases in severe depression symptoms (15.1% versus 24.8%), moderate anxiety (18.3% versus 29.4%), and moderate stress (40.9% versus 53.8%) observed among the participants. Additionally, a significant reduction in QOL was noted, particularly in the domain of social relationships (65.2 versus 59.6, p-value 0.029). Conclusion: The study highlights a deterioration in both the quality of life and the mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida (CV) y la presencia de síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes del área de la salud, en comparación con el período previo a la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Investigación transversal comparativa realizada en una universidad pública brasileña. La CV se evaluó utilizando la escala WHOQOL-bref, mientras que los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés se evaluaron utilizando la escala DASS-21. Se emplearon análisis descriptivos e inferenciales para comparar los dos períodos. Resultados: Un total de 355 estudiantes participaron en este estudio. Durante la pandemia, se observaron aumentos significativos en los síntomas de depresión grave (15,1% versus 24,8%), ansiedad moderada (18,3% versus 29,4%) y estrés moderado (40,9% versus 53,8%) entre los participantes. Además, hubo una reducción significativa en la CV, especialmente en el ámbito de las relaciones sociales (65,2 versus 59,6, valor de p 0,029). Conclusión: Se evidenció un deterioro en tanto la calidad de vida como la salud mental de los estudiantes de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) e a presença de sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em estudantes da área da saúde, em comparação ao período anterior à pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Pesquisa transversal comparativa em uma universidade pública brasileira. A QV foi avaliada por meio da escala WHOQOL-bref, enquanto os sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse foram avaliados usando a escala DASS-21. Foram empregadas análises descritivas e inferenciais para comparar os dois períodos. Resultados: Um total de 355 estudantes participaram deste estudo. Durante a pandemia, foram observados aumentos significantes nos sintomas de depressão grave (15,1% versus 24,8%), ansiedade moderada (18,3% versus 29,4%) e estresse moderado (40,9% versus 53,8%) entre os participantes. Além disso, houve uma redução significativa na QV, especialmente no domínio das relações sociais (65,2 versus 59,6, p-valor 0,029). Conclusão: Evidenciou-se piora da QV e da saúde mental dos estudantes da saúde durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

Age, skin color, self-rated health, and depression associated with co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors in university students: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Age, skin color, self-rated health, and depression associated with co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors in university students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Effects and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on medicine use by employees of a Brazilian public university: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have had to adopt remote education, a strategy that caused sudden changes of routine for everyone involved in academia. OBJECTIVE: To assess the profile of medicine use by the employees of a Brazilian public university during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: Employees were invited to answer an online self-administered questionnaire, containing questions on sociodemographic features, medicine use, mental health and lifestyle habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome variable was the use of medicines stratified according to occupation. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate (Poisson regression) statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 372 employees participated in the study and use of medicine was reported by 53.2%. Among professors, suicide attempts (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.74), physical activity (PR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.11-2.11) and poor self-rated health (PR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.01-1.66); and among technicians, decreased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic (PR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.00-1.99), excess body weight (PR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02-1.88) and poor self-rated health (PR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14-1.92) were positively associated with use of medicines. In addition, among technicians, engaging in physical activity (PR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.46-0.78) was a protective factor against medicine use. CONCLUSION: The profile of medicine use among these employees was similar to that of the Brazilian population. However, some associated factors may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, thus highlighting the need to examine this topic in a longitudinal study.

Effects and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on medicine use by employees of a Brazilian public university: a cross-sectional study

Abstract BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have had to adopt remote education, a strategy that caused sudden changes of routine for everyone involved in academia. OBJECTIVE: To assess the profile of medicine use by the employees of a Brazilian public university during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: Employees were invited to answer an online self-administered questionnaire, containing questions on sociodemographic features, medicine use, mental health and lifestyle habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome variable was the use of medicines stratified according to occupation. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate (Poisson regression) statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 372 employees participated in the study and use of medicine was reported by 53.2%. Among professors, suicide attempts (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.74), physical activity (PR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.11-2.11) and poor self-rated health (PR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.01-1.66); and among technicians, decreased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic (PR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.00-1.99), excess body weight (PR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02-1.88) and poor self-rated health (PR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14-1.92) were positively associated with use of medicines. In addition, among technicians, engaging in physical activity (PR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.46-0.78) was a protective factor against medicine use. CONCLUSION: The profile of medicine use among these employees was similar to that of the Brazilian population. However, some associated factors may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, thus highlighting the need to examine this topic in a longitudinal study.

Relação entre perfil, hábitos, vivências acadêmicas e resiliência de universitários / Relationship between profile, habits, academic experiences and resilience of university students / Relación entre el perfil, los hábitos, las experiencias académicas y la resiliencia de los estudiantes universitarios

A falta de recursos para lidar com situações desafiadoras pode dificultar o ajuste do estudante à universidade e aumentar o risco de fracasso acadêmico. Pensando nisso, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se há relação entre o perfil, os hábitos de vida, as vivências acadêmicas e a resiliência de graduandos das áreas da saúde e Psicologia. Trata-se de um estudo transversal e inferencial. Participaram 361 graduandos dos cursos de Biomedicina, Educação Física, Enfermagem, Farmácia, Fisioterapia, Medicina, Nutrição, Terapia Ocupacional e Psicologia, matriculados em três instituições federais de Ensino Superior do interior de Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se um questionário sociodemográfico e de hábitos de vida, a Escala de Resiliência e o Questionário de Vivências Acadêmicas - versão reduzida -, respondidos de forma on-line pelos universitários, bem como análises descritivas e correlacionais. Os resultados mostraram resiliência média para a maioria dos universitários e boa adaptação ao contexto universitário, além de relações entre a resiliência e o período cursado, estar em psicoterapia, avaliar positivamente a própria saúde e todas as dimensões das vivências acadêmicas. Conclui-se que a resiliência é uma capacidade importante para enfrentar as demandas da graduação e que é possível desenvolvê-la, especialmente durante o começo da graduação e com a adoção de intervenções focadas no autoconhecimento, na autoeficácia e em boas estratégias de enfrentamento. Desenvolver a resiliência nos estudantes pode colaborar para a promoção da saúde desta população e a redução da evasão no Ensino Superior.(AU)

The lack of resources to deal with challenging situations may hinder the student's adjustment to the university and increase the risk of academic failure. With this in mind, this study aimed to verify whether there is a relationship between the profile, life habits, academic experiences, and resilience of undergraduate students in the areas of Health and Psychology. This is a cross-sectional and inferential study. A total of 361 undergraduate students of Biomedicine, Physical Education, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Medicine, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology, registered in three Federal Institutions of Higher Education in the interior of Minas Gerais participated in the study. We used a sociodemographic and lifestyle questionnaire, the Resilience Scale, and the Questionnaire of Academic Experiences - short version, answered online by the undergraduates, and descriptive and correlational analyses. The results showed average resilience for most university students and good adaptation to the university context, as well as showing relationships between resilience and the study period, being in psychotherapy, positively evaluating their own health, and all dimensions of academic experiences. We conclude that resilience is an important capacity to face the demands of undergraduate courses and that developing it is possible, especially during the beginning of undergraduate life and by adopting interventions focused on self-knowledge, self-efficacy, and good coping strategies. Developing the resilience of students can contribute to promote health in this population and reduce dropout rates in higher education.(AU)

La falta de recursos para afrontar situaciones desafiantes puede dificultar la adaptación del estudiante a la universidad y aumentar el riesgo de fracaso académico. Con esto en mente, el objetivo de este estudio fue verificar si existe una relación entre el perfil, los hábitos de vida, las experiencias académicas y la resiliencia de los estudiantes de grado en las áreas de Salud y Psicología. Se trata de un estudio transversal e inferencial. Participaron 361 estudiantes de pregrado de Biomedicina, Educación Física, Enfermería, Farmacia, Fisioterapia, Medicina, Nutrición, Terapia Ocupacional y Psicología, matriculados en tres Instituciones Federales de Educación Superior del interior de Minas Gerais. Se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y de hábitos de vida, la Escala de Resiliencia y el Cuestionario de Vivencias Académicas - Versión Reducida, que los universitarios respondieron en línea, y se realizaron análisis descriptivos y correlativos. Los resultados mostraron una resiliencia media para la mayoría de los estudiantes universitarios y una buena adaptación al contexto universitario, además mostraron relaciones entre la resiliencia y el periodo estudiado, estar en psicoterapia, evaluar positivamente su propia salud y todas las dimensiones de las experiencias académicas. Concluimos que la resiliencia es una capacidad importante para afrontar las exigencias de la graduación y que es posible desarrollarla, especialmente durante el inicio de esta y con la adopción de intervenciones centradas en el autoconocimiento, la autoeficacia y las buenas estrategias de afrontamiento. Desarrollar la resiliencia de los estudiantes puede contribuir a promover la salud de esta población y a reducir el abandono escolar en la enseñanza superior.(AU)

Dietary practices of university students according to the Dietary Guidelines for the brazilian population: PADu study / Práticas alimentares de ingressantes na universidade segundo o Guia Alimentar para a população brasileira: estudo PADu

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate factors associated with dietary practices in students of a institution of higher education, included in the PADu study: "Anxiety and depression symptoms among university students in Minas Gerais: a longitudinal study". Methods Cross-sectional study of PADu project baseline with undergraduate first period students, who responded in person to a printed and self-administered questionnaire. Dietary practices were evaluated through a 24 items scale based on recommendations of Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. Answer choices are four-point Likert scale: "strongly agree", "agree", "disagree" and "strongly disagree". The sum of the items corresponded a score ranging (0-72 points), a high score indicating greater adequacy. The explanatory variables were: sociodemographics (gender, age, knowledge area, skin color, marital status, monthly household income), behaviors (excess alcohol consumption, physical exercise, screen exposure, internet use), health conditions (self-rated health, nutritional status, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress). Adjusted multiple linear regression model was used to estimate the coefficients and their 95% CI. Results 356 students participated in the study. The average of dietary practices was 34.9±9.3 (0-63) points. Physical exercise practice (β: 3.75; CI: 1.83; 5.67) was associated with higher scores in the eating students score. We observed factors associated with the lowest score greater exposure to screens (β: -0.44; CI: -0.67; -0.13), excessive internet use (β: -3.05; CI: -5.22; -0.88), poor health self-assessment (β: -3.63; CI: -4.97; -1.21), excessive alcohol consumption (β: -2.09; CI: -3.92;-0.26) and stress symptoms (β: -2.81; CI: -4.72; -0.77). Conclusion Most students have inadequate dietary practices associated with internet use, alcohol consumption and stress.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os fatores associados às práticas alimentares em estudantes de uma instituição de Ensino Superior incluídos no estudo PADu: "Sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em universitários de Minas Gerais: um estudo longitudinal". Métodos Estudo transversal da linha de base do projeto PADu com alunos do primeiro período da graduação, que responderam pessoalmente a um questionário impresso e autoaplicável. As práticas alimentares desses estudantes foram avaliadas por meio de uma escala de 24 itens baseada nas recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. As opções de resposta foram coletadas em escala Likert de quatro pontos: "concordo totalmente", "concordo", "discordo" e "discordo totalmente". A soma dos itens correspondeu a uma pontuação (0-72 pontos), onde uma pontuação alta indicava maior adequação. As variáveis explicativas foram: características sociodemográficas (sexo, idade, área do conhecimento, cor da pele, estado civil, renda familiar total mensal), comportamentos (consumo excessivo de álcool, exercícios físicos, exposição a telas e uso de internet) e condições de saúde (autoavaliação saúde, estado nutricional, sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e stress). O modelo de regressão linear múltipla ajustado foi usado para estimar os coeficientes e seus IC 95%. Resultados 356 alunos participaram do estudo. A média das práticas alimentares foi de 34,9±9,3 (0-63) pontos. A prática de exercícios físicos (β: 3,75; IC: 1,83; 5,67) esteve associada a maiores escores no escore de hábitos alimentares dos escolares. Foram observados fatores associados ao menor escore maior exposição a telas (β: -0,44; IC: -0,67; -0,13), uso excessivo de internet (β: -3,05; IC: -5,22; -0,88), ruim autoavaliação de saúde (β: -3,63; IC: -4,97; -1,21), consumo excessivo de álcool (β: -2,09; IC: -3,92; -0,26) e sintomas de estresse (β: -2,81; IC: -4,72; -0,77). Conclusão A maioria dos estudantes apresenta práticas alimentares inadequadas associadas ao uso da internet, consumo de álcool e estresse.

Prevalence and factors associated with anxiety among university students of health sciences in Brazil: findings and implications / Prevalência e fatores associados à ansiedade entre universitários de ciências da saúde no Brasil: achados e implicações

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety disorders among university students of health sciences at Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study between March to June 2019. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic, academic, family and behavioral issues. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to assess anxiety. Estimates were obtained through the prevalence ratio and Poisson multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-three students participated with a mean age of 23.1 and predominantly women (79.9%). All students had some degree of anxiety, with the frequency of the severe, moderate and mild forms being 28.0%, 29.8% and 27.0%, respectively. The factors associated with anxiety included having suffered psychological and/or physical violence in childhood, having suicidal thoughts, having a deceased parent, living with parents, being dissatisfied with the course and being in the exam period. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anxiety was high in our study and family problems prior to entering university seem to significantly influence the degree of anxiety, which may compromise the student's academic and social performance.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência e os fatores associados aos transtornos de ansiedade em estudantes universitários de ciências da saúde da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, entre março e junho de 2019. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário autoaplicável, incluindo questões sociodemográficas, acadêmicas, familiares e comportamentais. O Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck foi usado para avaliar a ansiedade. As estimativas foram obtidas por meio da razão de prevalência e análise multivariada de Poisson. RESULTADOS: Participaram 493 alunos com idade média de 23,1 anos e predominância do sexo feminino (79,9%). Todos os alunos apresentaram algum grau de ansiedade, sendo a frequência da forma grave, moderada e leve de 28,0%, 29,8% e 27,0%, respectivamente. Os fatores associados à ansiedade foram: ter sofrido violência psicológica e/ou física na infância, ter pensamentos suicidas, ter pai falecido, morar com os pais, ter insatisfação com o curso e estar em período de provas. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de ansiedade foi elevada em nosso estudo e os problemas familiares anteriores ao ingresso na universidade parecem influenciar significativamente no grau de ansiedade, podendo comprometer o desempenho acadêmico e social do discente.

Práticas alimentares de estudantes universitários da área da saúde, de acordo com as recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira / Food practices of health university students according to the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population

Introdução: As práticas alimentares dos indivíduos são influenciadas pelo ambiente em que eles estão inseridos. Estudantes universitários, ao ingressarem no ensino superior, podem modificar seus hábitos alimentares em função de novos comportamentos e relações sociais que se estabelecem nesta nova fase da vida. Objetivo: Avaliar as práticas alimentares de estudantes universitários ingressantes no 1º semestre dos cursos da área da saúde de uma instituição federal de ensino superior, de acordo com as recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. Métodos: Estudo transversal com estudantes universitários dos cursos de graduação da área da saúde de uma instituição pública do ensino superior. As práticas alimentares foram obtidas através da escala desenvolvida e validada por Gabe e Jaime (2019). Foram avaliadas as características sociodemográficas, hábitos de vida e condições de saúde. A análise dos dados compreendeu distribuição de frequência e análise bivariada. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 148 estudantes, dos quais 58,1% eram mulheres, 61,5% tinham 20 anos ou menos, com idade variando de 18 a 31 anos. Práticas alimentares inadequadas foram observadas em 23,7% dos estudantes, 52,0% mostraram práticas de risco e 24,3%, adequadas. O somatório das categorias de risco e inadequação foi representado por 75,7% dos estudantes. Homens apresentaram maior frequência de práticas alimentares de risco (64,5%) e mulheres, maior frequência de práticas alimentares inadequadas (29,1%) (p=0,033). Conclusão: Observou-se alta frequência (75,7%) de práticas alimentares inadequadas no público estudado. Ao comparar as variáveis explicativas com as práticas alimentares, observou-se associação positiva entre o sexo e as práticas alimentares dos estudantes. (AU)

Introduction: Dietary practices are influenced by the environment. When entering higher education, university students may change their eating habits by developing new behaviors and social relationships in this new phase of life. Objective: To evaluate the dietary practices of first-semester university students enrolled health sciences courses at a federal institution of higher education, according to the recommendations of the Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira [Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian population]. Methods: Cross-sectional study with university students from health sciences courses of a public institution of higher education. Dietary practices were assessed using the scale developed and validated by Gabe and Jaime (2019). Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and health status were assessed. Data analysis comprised frequency distribution and bivariate analysis. Results: In total, 148 students were interviewed, of whom 58.1% were women, and 61.5% were 20 years of age or younger, with ages ranging from 18 to 31 years. Inadequate dietary practices were observed in 23.7% students, 52.0% showed risky practices and 24.3% adequate practices. The sum of the risk and inadequacy categories was represented by 75.7% students. Men had a higher frequency of risky dietary practices (64.5%), and women had a higher frequency of inadequate dietary practices (29.1%) (p = 0.033). Conclusion: A high frequency (75.7%) of inadequate dietary practices was observed in the university students. The comparison between explanatory variables and dietary practices showed a positive association between the sex and dietary practices of the students. (AU)