Affiliation:
1. Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
2. Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
3. Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Debrecen, 4028 Debrecen, Hungary
4. Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
Abstract
The aim of the present study was two-fold: Firstly, to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress among international students at a Hungarian university two years after the COVID-19 outbreak; and secondly, to identify its demographic and socioeconomic factors, with special regard to the students’ food-security status. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out from 27 March to 3 July 2022 among international students at the University of Debrecen. The questionnaire included information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, food-security status (six-item United States Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module (USDA-FSSM)), and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)). Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the potential associations between demographic/socioeconomic factors and psychological distress. Additionally, multiple logistic regression was employed to further analyze these associations. Of 398 participants, 42.2%, 48.7%, and 29.4% reported mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The ages 18–24 (AOR = 2.619; 95% CI: 1.206–5.689) and 25–29 (AOR = 2.663; 95% CI: 1.159–6.119), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 1.726; 95% CI: 1.081–2.755), and being food insecure (AOR = 1.984; 95% CI: 1.274–3.090) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Being female (AOR = 1.674; 95% CI: 1.090–2.571), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 1.736; 95% CI: 1.098–2.744), and being food insecure (AOR = 2.047; 95% CI: 1.327–3.157) were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, being female (AOR = 1.702; 95% CI: 1.026–2.824)), living with roommates (AOR = 1.977; 95% CI: 1.075–3.635), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 2.840; 95% CI: 1.678–4.807), and being food insecure (AOR = 2.295; 95% CI:1.398–3.767) were significantly associated with symptoms of stress. Psychosocial programs combined with strategies to alleviate food insecurity are required to enhance international students’ mental health and well-being.
Subject
Food Science,Nutrition and Dietetics
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