Depression and suicidality among Bangladeshi students: Subject selection reasons and learning environment as potential risk factors

Najmuj Sakib; Merajul Islam; Md Syeed Al Habib; A K M Israfil Bhuiyan; Md Mahbub Alam; Noshin Tasneem; Moazzem Hossain; Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam; Mark D Griffiths; Mohammed A Mamun

doi:10.1111/ppc.12670

Depression and suicidality among Bangladeshi students: Subject selection reasons and learning environment as potential risk factors

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Jul;57(3):1150-1162. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12670. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Authors

Najmuj Sakib^{1

2}, Merajul Islam^{1

3}, Md Syeed Al Habib^{1

4}, A K M Israfil Bhuiyan¹, Md Mahbub Alam^{1

5}, Noshin Tasneem^{1

6}, Moazzem Hossain^{1

7}, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam⁸, Mark D Griffiths⁹, Mohammed A Mamun^{1

10}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Health Innovation, Networking, Training, Action and Research - Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
² Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh.
³ Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh.
⁵ Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁶ Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁷ Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁸ Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁹ Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
¹⁰ Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

PMID: 33135191
DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12670

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the role of subject-selection reasons and learning environment factors in students' depression and suicidality.

Design and methods: This study surveyed 960 students from five different Bangladeshi universities using questions concerning socio-demographics, lifestyles, subject-selection reasons, learning and academic environment, suicidal behaviors, and the Bangla Patient Health Questionnaire.

Findings: Approximately half of the participants were depressed (47.7%), and just over a quarter reported past-year suicidality (28.5%). Risk factors for both depression and suicidal behavior included not studying at their desired institute, selecting subjects based on future career prospects (rather than choosing what they want to study), not having a study-friendly and research-friendly environment, and unsupportive teachers.

Practical implications: The findings will help in formulating policies for educational institutions as well as providing benchmark data for further studies.

Keywords: Bangladeshi university students; depression; learning and academic environment; subject selection reasons; suicidal behaviors.

MeSH terms

Depression* / epidemiology
Humans
Risk Factors
Students
Suicide*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Universities