Eating disorders: Prevalence and associated factors among health occupation students in Monastir University (Tunisia)

Abstract

Background: Despite their high prevalence and severity among youth, national researches concerning eating disordered behavior among undergraduate students remains rare. Hence, it is imperative to determine the amplitude and to identify the risk factors of eating disorders (ED) to enable effective interventions.
Aim: To assess prevalence and associated factors of (ED) among health occupation students in the university of Monastir during 2013.
Methods: A cross sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed by approaching directly students. The following items were collected: demographic, socioeconomic and educational characteristics; self-esteem; previous dieting; perceived stress score(Cohen’s scale); depression (Beck Depression); sleep quality; sport practice; cyber addiction (Orman scale) and alcohol regular use (CRAFT-ADOPSA questionnaire). SCOFF questionnaire was used to identify students at risk of ED.
Results: A total of 974 students were included in the study. The mean age of students was 22.8 (Standard Deviation=2.2) with a sex ratio of 0.43. The prevalence of ED according to SCOFF questionnaire was 35%; 95% CI [32.0-38.5]. It was higher among female (39.8; 95% CI [35.8-43.7]) compared to male (24.3; 95% CI [18.8-29.7]) with a statistically significant difference (p<10-3). The risk factors associated independently with an eating disorder were “Previous dieting” (aOR=4.13; 95% CI [2.79-6.12]),”Sex” (aOR=1.77. 95% CI [1.13-2.77]) and “Repeat a year” (aOR=1.76; 95% CI [1.09-2.85]).
Conclusion: The prevalence of health occupation students at risk of ED was high. These results emphasizes the need for diversified and adapted prevention and health education policies as well as a need for a systematic screening of ED among students in order to start an early treatment that can improve their prognosis.