Depression and Health Risk Behaviors among Female Adolescents
Orawan Noiwat MSc*, Tawanchai Jirapramukpitak MD, PhD**, Kusol Soonthorndhada PhD***
Affiliation : * School of Health Science, Sukhothaithammathirat University, Nonthaburi, Thailand ** Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathumthani, Thailand *** Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Objective : To study the prevalence of depression and its association with health risk behaviors among female adolescents.
Material and Method: The present study was of population-based cross-sectional survey design. The sample population was
female adolescents aged 15 to 24 years old living in Kukot Municipal area in Pathumthani Province (n = 1,035). Measurements
were as follows: (1) exposure - depression was assessed with the Center for Epidemiology Studies-Depression scale (CES-
D), and (2) outcome - health risk behaviors, including sexual risk behaviors and substance abuse/dependence (alcohol,
tobacco and illicit drugs) were assessed by Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) and Diagnostic Interview Schedule
(DIS). Multiple logistic regression was employed to determine associations between depression and health risk behaviors
while controlling for confounding factors.
Results : The prevalence of depression in the sample was 17.49%. Nearly one fourth of the respondents (23.29%) reported
having health risk behaviors. About 14% of the respondents had sexual risk behaviors and about 10% reported substance
abuse/dependence. Depression was associated with an increased risk for any health risk behavior (OR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.16
to 2.59, p<0.05). Even after adjusting for confounding factors, the association remained significant (OR = 1.65; CI 1.11 to
2.45, p<0.05). Stratified analyses also showed that depression significantly increased the risk of such behaviors, particularly
among those with single parents (OR = 3.46 95% CI 1.70 to 7.03).
Conclusion : Depression and health risk behaviors were common among female adolescents. Depression was independently
associated with an increased risk of health risk behaviors. The risk was particularly predominant among those with single
parents. The findings suggest that there is a need to develop health policy and service planning for identification and treatment
of female adolescents at risk of common health risk behaviors.
Keywords : Depression, Health risk behaviors, Adolescents
