TITLE:
Eating Disorders among Students in Northern Benin (2023)
AUTHORS:
Ireti Nethania Elie Ataigba, Guy Gérard Aza-Gnandji, David Sinet Koïvogui, Wifrieda Aguidissou, Eurydice Elvire Djossou, Anselme Djidonou, Francis Tognon Tchegnonsi, Prosper Gandaho, Josiane Ezin Houngbe
KEYWORDS:
Eating Disorders, Benin, 2023
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: From
their earliest hours, human beings are able to identify a source of food and to
feed themselves. Feeding is therefore one of the most instinctive human
functions. It is regulated by several factors (physiological, psycho-affective
and environmental) whose disruption can lead to eating disorders. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate eating disorders among students in the
town of Parakou in 2023. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from
January to July 2023 in various universities in the city of Parakou, Benin. The
study population consisted of all students in grades 1 to 7 at these
universities. A two-stage non-proportional stratified sampling technique
combined with a simple random draw was adopted. The Eating Attitude Test-26,
Bulimia Inventory Test Edinburgh and a set of questions focusing on the
diagnostic criteria for pica were used to screen for pica and other disorders
such as anorexia, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Data were analyzed
using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 25. Results: A total of 607 students were surveyed, 323 of whom
had eating disorders. A prevalence of 53.21% of students at risk of eating
disorders was found. In relation to the total population, the prevalences of
anorexia, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and pica were 45.96%, 0.82%,
15.48% and 12.68% respectively. In multivariate analysis, seven factors
explained the risk to develop at least one eating disorder among the students
surveyed. These were: urban area of residence (OR (95% CI) = 5.059 (1.75 - 14.65); p = 0.003); year of study (OR (95% CI) = 0.47 (0.28
- 0.79); p = 0.035); type of university attended (private university: OR (95%
CI) = 1.63 (1.08 - 2.44); p = 0.019); parents’ marital status (couple or not)
(OR (95% CI) = 1.50 (1.01 - 2.24); p = 0.046); father’s level of education:
secondary (OR (CI 95%) = 3.85 (1.96 - 7.54); p 0.001)/higher (OR (CI 95%) = 2.83 (1.36 - 5.86); p = 0.005); mother’s one:
secondary (OR (CI 95%) = 0.30 (0.18 - 0.51); p 0.001)/superior (OR (CI 95%) = 0.31 (0.16 - 0.61); p =
0.001); the presence of doubtful (OR (CI95% = 1.69 (1.11 - 2.58); p = 0.009) or certain anxiety symptomatology (OR (CI 95%) = 1.69 (1.11 -
2.58); p = 0.009). Conclusion: More than half the students in Parakou had at least
one eating disorder. Diagnostic studies are needed, even if preventive actions
are already necessary.