Impact of depression on personal hygiene practices- A cross-sectional study among university students in Bangladesh

Summary & key facts

This study surveyed 1,913 university students in Dhaka using the CES-D depression scale and a new 18-item hygiene questionnaire. It found a high level of depression risk and that students who were at risk of depression tended to report worse personal hygiene. Female students reported better hygiene than males. The study used statistical tests and a validated hygiene scale, but it was a cross-sectional, convenience sample from one city, so it cannot prove cause and may not represent all students in Bangladesh.

Key facts:

• Sample size was 1,913 undergraduate students from Dhaka, collected by an online survey (response rate 94.23%).
• The study used the 20-item CES-D scale; a score of 16 or higher was classified as at risk of depression (score range 0–60).
• 79.9% of female students and 73.9% of male students were classified as at risk of depression using the CES-D cutoff of 16.
• 90.1% of female students were classified as having good hygiene versus 75.0% of male students, based on the 18-item Personal Hygiene Practice Questionnaire (PHPQ-18).
• Students living in privately managed housing had 88.6% classified as having good hygiene, and 73.2% of them were at risk of depression; by comparison, 79.2% of students living at home and 78.7% living in university housing were at risk of d
• In ordered logistic regression, being at risk of depression was associated with 65% lower odds of having better hygiene (odds ratio 0.36, p < 0.001).
• Male students had 68% lower odds of having higher hygiene scores than female students (odds ratio 0.32, p < 0.001).
• The PHPQ-18 showed strong internal consistency and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha α = 0.83) and was reviewed by experts and piloted with 44 students (93.18% reported no difficulty understanding questions).
• The study used a convenience sample from one city (Dhaka), which the authors note may introduce sampling bias and limits how well the results represent all university students.
• Because the study is cross-sectional (data collected at one time), it cannot show cause-and-effect between depression and hygiene practices; it only shows an association.

Abstract

Background This study explores the relationship between depression and personal hygiene practices among university students in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted, utilizing an 18-item Personal Hygiene Practice Questionnaire (PHPQ) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to assess hygiene behaviors and depression risk among 1,913 undergraduate students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and ordered logistic regression. The PHPQ was validated through item analysis, internal consistency, construct validity and reliability tests. Results A high prevalence of depression risk was revealed with 79.9% of females and 73.9% of males. Females demonstrated superior hygiene practices, with 90.1% classified as having good hygiene compared to 75.0% of males. Accommodation type significantly influenced both depression and hygiene, as students living in privately managed housing exhibited better hygiene practices (88.6% good hygiene) and lower depression risk (73.2%) compared to those living at home (79.2%) or in university housing (78.7%). Ordered logistic regression analysis indicated that students at risk of depression had 65% lower odds of maintaining better hygiene practices (OR = 0.36, p < 0.001), and male students were 68% less likely to have higher hygiene scores than females (OR = 0.32, p < 0.001). The Exploratory Factor Analysis and Cronbach’s alpha confirmed the reliability (α = 0.83) and strong internal consistency of PHPQ-18 scale. Conclusion These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in university settings to address mental health and hygiene education. Further research should explore socio-economic and cultural factors influencing these relationships.

Topics

Health and Wellbeing Research Mental Health Treatment and Access School Health and Nursing Education

Categories

Psychology Social Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Alternative medicine Clinical psychology Cross-sectional study Cultural competence Depression (economics) Environmental health Family medicine Gerontology Hygiene Medicine MEDLINE Mental health Mental hygiene Nursing Personal hygiene Psychiatry Psychological intervention Psychology Public health Qualitative research Young adult