Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder linked to psychological distress and lifestyle factors. In Bangladesh, young adults may experience exacerbated IBS symptoms due to particular hardships. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of IBS and its association with mental he...

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Main Authors: A B M Nahid Hasan, Md Asaduzzaman, Most Nourin Mahfuj, Rashedul Islam, Md Mohasin Kabir Bhuyan, Prosenjit Basak, Azaz Bin Sharif
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLOS Global Public Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004670
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author A B M Nahid Hasan
Md Asaduzzaman
Most Nourin Mahfuj
Rashedul Islam
Md Mohasin Kabir Bhuyan
Prosenjit Basak
Azaz Bin Sharif
author_facet A B M Nahid Hasan
Md Asaduzzaman
Most Nourin Mahfuj
Rashedul Islam
Md Mohasin Kabir Bhuyan
Prosenjit Basak
Azaz Bin Sharif
author_sort A B M Nahid Hasan
collection DOAJ
description Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder linked to psychological distress and lifestyle factors. In Bangladesh, young adults may experience exacerbated IBS symptoms due to particular hardships. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of IBS and its association with mental health status among private university students. A cross-sectional study conducted between November 2023 and May 2024 and involved 550 students aged 19-40 years from three private universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected via in-person interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire that included the Rome III and the DASS-21 scale. Pearson's χ² test was used to explore associations and multiple logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing IBS. The prevalence of IBS among the students was 31.63%. Female students had higher odds of developing IBS compared to males (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.19 to 3.36). Psychological distress was strongly associated with IBS, with students experiencing severe anxiety (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.11 to 7.24) and stress (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.16 to 6.79) showing increased odds of IBS. Additionally, satisfaction with academic major (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.96) indicates 54% lower odds of IBS compared to those who were unsatisfied. Physical activity (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.90) shows a 36% reduction in the odss of IBS with moderate physical activity (20-60 minutes per day). Daily vegetable consumption (AOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.89) suggested a 19% lower odds of IBS. Malnutrition (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.82) was associated with a 77% increased odds of IBS. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing comprehensive campuswide health promotion programs that address psychological distress, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and provide nutritional guidance to alleviate the burden of IBS among them.
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spelling doaj-art-c466f89ec9114f78bfad8fefaf001bc82025-08-20T02:38:07ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752025-01-0155e000467010.1371/journal.pgph.0004670Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.A B M Nahid HasanMd AsaduzzamanMost Nourin MahfujRashedul IslamMd Mohasin Kabir BhuyanProsenjit BasakAzaz Bin SharifIrritable Bowel Syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder linked to psychological distress and lifestyle factors. In Bangladesh, young adults may experience exacerbated IBS symptoms due to particular hardships. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of IBS and its association with mental health status among private university students. A cross-sectional study conducted between November 2023 and May 2024 and involved 550 students aged 19-40 years from three private universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected via in-person interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire that included the Rome III and the DASS-21 scale. Pearson's χ² test was used to explore associations and multiple logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing IBS. The prevalence of IBS among the students was 31.63%. Female students had higher odds of developing IBS compared to males (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.19 to 3.36). Psychological distress was strongly associated with IBS, with students experiencing severe anxiety (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.11 to 7.24) and stress (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.16 to 6.79) showing increased odds of IBS. Additionally, satisfaction with academic major (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.96) indicates 54% lower odds of IBS compared to those who were unsatisfied. Physical activity (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.90) shows a 36% reduction in the odss of IBS with moderate physical activity (20-60 minutes per day). Daily vegetable consumption (AOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.89) suggested a 19% lower odds of IBS. Malnutrition (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.82) was associated with a 77% increased odds of IBS. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing comprehensive campuswide health promotion programs that address psychological distress, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and provide nutritional guidance to alleviate the burden of IBS among them.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004670
spellingShingle A B M Nahid Hasan
Md Asaduzzaman
Most Nourin Mahfuj
Rashedul Islam
Md Mohasin Kabir Bhuyan
Prosenjit Basak
Azaz Bin Sharif
Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
PLOS Global Public Health
title Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
title_full Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
title_fullStr Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
title_short Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
title_sort prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its association to mental health among the private university students of dhaka bangladesh
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004670
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