Dataset Information

Trends in Socioeconomic Inequalities in Norwegian Adolescents' Mental Health From 2014 to 2018: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: Background:Adolescents' mental health, and its consistent relationship with their socioeconomic background, is a concern that should drive education, health, and employment policies. However, information about this relationship on a national scale is limited. We explore national overall trends and investigate possible socioeconomic disparities in adolescents' mental health, including psychological distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness in Norway during the period 2014-2018. Methods:The present study builds on data retrieved from five waves of the national cross-sectional Ungdata survey (2014-2018). In total 136,525 upper secondary school students (52% girls) completed the questionnaire during the study period. Trends in socioeconomic inequalities were assessed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Relative Index of Inequality (RII). Results:The prevalence of students with moderate to high symptoms score and mean symptoms scores of psychological distress (in terms of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness) increased among girls and boys during 2014-2018, with girls showing higher rates. Our results suggest distinct, but stable, inequalities between socioeconomic groups, both in absolute and relative terms, among girls and boys during the study period. Conclusion:Rising rates of adolescents' psychological distress, particularly among girls, may have long-term consequences for individuals involved and the society as a whole. Future studies should investigate the causes of these results. We did not find evidence of any change in inequalities in adolescents' mental health between socioeconomic groups, suggesting current strategies are not sufficiently addressing mental health inequalities in the adolescent population and therefore a significant need for research and public health efforts.

SUBMITTER: Myhr A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7358281 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Trends in Socioeconomic Inequalities in Norwegian Adolescents' Mental Health From 2014 to 2018: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

Myhr Arnhild A Anthun Kirsti S KS Lillefjell Monica M Sund Erik R ER

Frontiers in psychology 20200707

<h4>Background</h4>Adolescents' mental health, and its consistent relationship with their socioeconomic background, is a concern that should drive education, health, and employment policies. However, information about this relationship on a national scale is limited. We explore national overall trends and investigate possible socioeconomic disparities in adolescents' mental health, including psychological distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness in Norway during the period 20 ...[more]

PMID: 32733331

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Project description:ObjectiveTo explore trends in prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in underweight and obesity in 5-year-old schoolchildren in Scotland between 2011/2012 and 2017/2018.DesignA population-based, repeated cross-sectional study.SettingLocal authority primary schools in Scotland.Participants373 189 5-year-old schoolchildren in Scotland between 2011/2012 and 2017/2018.MethodologyTrends in prevalence and inequalities in underweight and obesity were examined across seven school years (2011/2012-2017/2018) for 373 189 5-year-old schoolchildren in Scotland. Body mass index SD scores were calculated, and epidemiological cut-offs relative to the UK 1990 references categorised underweight and obesity. Slope/relative indices of inequality (SII/RII) were calculated for underweight and obesity by school year using the area-based Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity rose slightly overall during the study period (9.8% in 2011/2012; 10.1% in 2017/2018). However, this masked a widening of inequalities, with children from the most deprived areas experiencing a greater risk of obesity in 2017/2018 than in 2011/2012 (risk ratio=1.14, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.25) compared with an unchanged risk in children from the least deprived areas (risk ratio=0.95, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.11). SII and RII indicate widening inequalities for obesity, with RII rising from 1.95 (95% CI 1.71 to 2.22) in 2011/2012 to 2.22 (95% CI 1.93 to 2.56) in 2017/2018. The prevalence of underweight was consistently low (compared with the UK 1990 references) and remained unchanged over the study period (1.2% in 2011/2012; 1.1% in 2017/2018), with no consistent evidence of social patterning over time.ConclusionsInequalities in obesity in schoolchildren in Scotland are large and have widened from 2011, despite only a slight rise in overall prevalence. In contrast there has been little change in underweight prevalence or inequalities during the study period. Extra resources for policy implementation and measures which do not widen inequalities and focus on reaching the most deprived children are required to tackle the high prevalence and growing inequalities in childhood obesity in Scotland.

Project description:BackgroundIt is well-known that secondhand smoke exposure in childhood or adolescence is positively associated with morbidity and mortality. However, less is known about the current status of and most recent trends in secondhand smoke exposure among adolescents in China.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess recent changes in the prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure among adolescents in China using nationally representative data.MethodsWe used data from 2 repeated national cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2013-2014 and 2019. A total of 155,117 students (median age 13.5 years) in 2013-2014 and 147,270 students (median age 13.1 years) in 2019 were included in this study. Sociodemographic factors and secondhand smoke exposure information were collected via a standardized questionnaire. Exposure was defined as secondhand smoke exposure ≥1 day during the past 7 days at home or in public places. Other frequencies of secondhand smoke exposure (ie, ≥3 days, ≥5 days, and every day) during the past 7 days were also assessed. The weighted prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure was calculated according to the complex sample design for surveys.ResultsThe prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure in any place (home or public places ≥1 day during the past 7 days) decreased from 2013-2014 (72.9%, 95% CI 71.5%-74.3%) to 2019 (63.2%, 95% CI 62%-64.5%), as did exposure at home (2013-2014: 44.4%, 95% CI 43.1%-45.7%; 2019: 34.1%, 95% CI 33.1%-35.2%) and in public places (2013-2014: 68.3%, 95% CI 66.9%-69.6%; 2019: 57.3%, 95% CI 56%-58.6%). The prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure decreased with increased gross domestic product per capita in each of the 2 survey years irrespective of exposure frequency or location. The prevalence of exposure at other frequencies (ie, ≥3 days, ≥5 days, or every day during the past 7 days) also decreased in any place, at home, and in public places. Secondhand smoke exposure was associated with higher school grade level (ninth vs seventh grade: odds ratio [OR] 1.76, 95% CI 1.68-1.84), gender (boys vs girls: OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.15-1.22), urban status (urban vs rural: OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.19), and cigarette smoking (yes vs no: OR 6.67, 95% CI 5.83-7.62).ConclusionsAlthough the prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure among Chinese adolescents declined from 2013-2014 to 2019, it remains unacceptably high. More effective strategies and stronger action are needed in China to further, and dramatically, curb secondhand smoke exposure among adolescents.

Project description:ObjectivesThis study assessed the extent of educational and income inequalities in self-rated health (SRH) in the German adult population between 2003 and 2012 and how these inequalities changed over time.DesignRepeated cross-sectional health interview surveys conducted in 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2012.Setting and participantsThe study population was the German adult population aged 25-69, living in private households in Germany. In total 54 197 randomly selected participants (2003: 6890; 2009: 16 418; 2010: 17 145; 2012: 13 744) were included.Main outcome measuresSRH was assessed with one single question. Five answer categories were dichotomised into good ('very good' and 'good') versus poor ('moderate', 'poor', 'very poor') SRH. To estimate the extent of the correlation between absolute and relative inequalities in SRH on the one hand, and income and education on the other; slope indices of inequality (SII) and relative indices of inequality (RII) were estimated using linear probability and log-binomial regression models.ResultsThere were considerable and persisting educational and income inequalities in SRH in every survey year. Absolute educational inequalities were largely stable (2003: SII=0.25, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.30; 2012: 0.29, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.33; p trend=0.359). Similarly, absolute income inequalities were stable (2003: SII=0.22, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.27; 2012: SII=0.26, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.30; p trend=0.168). RII by education (2003: 2.53, 95% CI 2.11 to 3.03; 2012: 2.72, 95% CI 2.36 to 3.13; p trend=0.531) and income (2003: 2.09. 95% CI 1.75 to 2.49; 2012: 2.53, 95% CI 2.19 to 2.92; p trend=0.051) were equally stable over the same period.ConclusionsWe found considerable and persisting absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities in SRH in the German adult population between 2003 and 2012, with those in lower socioeconomic position reporting poorer SRH. These findings should be a concern for both public health professionals and political decision makers.

Dataset Information

Trends in Socioeconomic Inequalities in Norwegian Adolescents' Mental Health From 2014 to 2018: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

Publications

Trends in Socioeconomic Inequalities in Norwegian Adolescents' Mental Health From 2014 to 2018: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

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