Excess costs of depression among a population-based older adults with chronic diseases in Singapore.

Background: There is limited evidence on the economic burden of depression among the older population in Singapore.

Objective: We aim to evaluate the impact of depression on healthcare expenditure and productivity loss among older adults with chronic diseases in Singapore.

Methods: Using the data from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study (WiSE), a 2011 national representative survey of older adults aged 60 years and above, 2510 respondents were included in this study.

Factors influencing smoking cessation: Insights from Singapore's nationwide health and lifestyle survey.

Introduction: Singapore has implemented an evidence-based smoking cessation framework to support smokers in quitting. Our study investigated the prevalence and correlates of (1) quit attempts (QA) and quit intentions (QI) among current smokers, and (2) smoking cessation (SC) among ever-smokers in Singapore.

Method: Data was collected from a nationwide survey conducted between 2020 and 2022.

Understanding Major Depressive Disorder in Singapore: Insights from the second Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS 2016).

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) poses significant public health challenges globally and in Southeast Asia, with substantial impairment and disease burden. Understanding its prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for effective intervention.

Methods: This study aims to describe the prevalence shifts, correlates, and comorbidities of MDD in Singapore.

Problematic smartphone use and mental health outcomes among Singapore residents: The health and lifestyle survey.

Background: The excessive use of smartphones and its association with adverse outcomes has been widely reported, with several studies showing an association between smartphone overuse, depression, anxiety, and sleep-related problems.

Methods: The study used data from the Health and Lifestyle Survey, a nationwide population survey. It examined the prevalence of Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) and its association with mental health outcomes among Singapore residents aged 15-65 years.

Exploring the Singapore general population's trust in COVID-19 information from different sources and its association with perceived risk of infection during the pandemic.

Background: The degree of public trust in the government's competence is crucial in preventing the spread of misinformation and reducing psychological distress during a pandemic. The study aimed to (i) explore the trust in COVID-19 information from different sources and trust in the ability of the World Health Organization (WHO), government departments and related institutions in handling the epidemic in Singapore and (ii) its association with perceived risk of infection among Singapore residents.

Methods: A total of 1,129 participants (aged 21 and above) were recruited from a cross-sectional study examining the well-being and resilience of Singapore's population between May 2020 to June 2021.

Prevalence of consumption of illicit drugs and associated factors from a nationwide epidemiological survey: The Singapore Health and Lifestyle Survey.

Introduction: The primary aims of the current nationwide study were to establish the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of consumption of illicit drugs and its correlates in the general population of Singapore.

Method: A representative sample of 6509 Singapore residents (Singapore citizens and permanent residents) aged between 15 and 65 years were randomly selected for participation. Questionnaires were administered to assess the consumption of illicit drugs and collect information on correlates.

Health care utilization, productivity losses, and burden of adverse childhood experiences in Singapore: Findings from a national survey.

Objective: There is poor understanding on health care utilization, productivity losses, and burden of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in multiethnic Asian populations. Part of this research gap stems from the limited epidemiological data on neglect, emotional abuse, bullying, and dysfunctional home environments. This study estimated health care utilization, productivity losses, and burden of ACEs (at least one exposure and multiple exposures) in Singapore.

Changes in body mass index and its association with socio-demographic characteristics between 2010 and 2016 in Singapore.

Background: Epidemiological studies have observed an increase in the prevalence of obesity in both western and Asian countries. This study aims to compare the distribution of body mass index (BMI) in the general population of Singapore between 2010 and 2016, and to explore the socio-demographic risk factors associated with it.

Methods: Data for this study were extracted from two national-wise studies in 2010 and 2016, two population-based, cross-sectional epidemiological studies.

Exploring views and experiences of the general public's adoption of digital technologies for healthy lifestyle in Singapore: a qualitative study.

Objective: Little is known about the general adult population's adoption of digital technology to support healthy lifestyle, especially when they are expected to take greater personal responsibility for managing their health and well-being today. The current qualitative study intended to gain an in-depth understanding of determinants of digital technology adoption for healthy lifestyle among community-dwelling adults in Singapore.

Design: A qualitative study design, with thematic framework analysis was applied to develop themes from the data.

Sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with vaccine hesitancy - results from a longitudinal study in Singapore.

Singapore has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates, however identifying vaccine-hesitant sub-groups and their concerns is vital given the need for future boosters in vulnerable populations. Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy remains a concern in the event of an emergence of a newer strain that necessitates the rolling out of a new vaccination programme. The aims of this study were to establish the extent of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the factors influencing it among adults in Singapore using the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS).

Benefits of leisure-related physical activity and association between sedentary time and risk for hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Lifestyle modifications can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. Our study investigated whether domain-specific physical activity (such as work, transport and leisure) and sedentary behaviour were associated with T2DM and hypertension, and whether these associations were moderated by sex and age.

Method: For this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from a population survey in Singapore (n=2,867) conducted from February 2019 to March 2020.

Treatment delays for mental disorders in Singapore: results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016.

Purpose: Although the trajectory of mental disorders can be improved with timely treatment, many people defer treatment-seeking. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of treatment delays for mental disorders in Singapore, as well as perceived effectiveness of treatment received.

Methods: A total of 6126 respondents, aged 18 and above, participated in the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016-a cross-sectional, nationwide study conducted in Singapore from 2016 to 2018.

Differences in the Prevalence and Profile of DSM-IV and DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorders-Results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016.

Introduction: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria for alcohol use disorders (AUD) was a significant shift from the historical DSM-IV Text Revised version. Following this shift in diagnostic criteria, a difference in the prevalence of AUD was expected. The current study aimed to evaluate the consequences of the modification of the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV to DSM-5 AUD using lifetime diagnosis in Singapore's multi-ethnic population using data from a nationwide epidemiological study.

Food insufficiency, adverse childhood experiences and mental health: results of the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of food insufficiency and its association with mental disorders and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in Singapore.

Design: This analysis utilised data from the Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS 2016).

Setting: SMHS 2016 was a population-based, psychiatric epidemiological study conducted among Singapore residents.

Prevalence and impact of peer victimisation among youth seeking treatment at a tertiary psychiatric institution in Singapore: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Peer victimization is common among adolescents and leads to negative consequences. However, few studies have examined the extent of peer-victimization and its correlates among adolescent patients in a psychiatric setting. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of peer victimisation among youth with mental illness and to examine its association with depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Barriers and facilitators for adopting a healthy lifestyle in a multi-ethnic population: A qualitative study.

A healthy lifestyle is defined as 'a way of living that lowers the risk of being seriously ill or dying early.' Although barriers and facilitators of healthy lifestyles have been well-studied among populations like those with chronic non-communicable diseases, adolescents, and older adults in Asia, less information is available on barriers and facilitators perceived by the general adult population. Using a qualitative methodology and leveraging the socio-ecological model, the current study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators of a healthy lifestyle in a sample of Singapore residents.

Sources of information on diabetes and its demographic correlates: a nationwide survey among Singapore residents.

Diabetes is a major public health concern in Singapore, and the Singapore Government declared a 'War on Diabetes', which included a nationwide public health campaign. It is important to identify what sources of diabetes information reach the general population, whether this differs by socio-demographic characteristics and if the sources of information influence knowledge of diabetes to aid the successful dissemination of health information. Two thousand eight hundred ninety-five respondents were part of a population-based cross-sectional study conducted from February 2019 to September 2020.

Youth Positive Mental Health Concepts and Definitions: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis.

Background: Research on youth positive mental health (PMH) lacks comprehensiveness. We reviewed literature to (i) identify and understand concepts related to youth PMH and (ii) to summarize their definitions under broad conceptual themes.

Method: We conducted a systematic review using PRISMA methodology.

Factor structure of the diabetes knowledge questionnaire and the assessment of the knowledge of risk factors, causes, complications, and management of diabetes mellitus: A national population-based study in Singapore.

This study evaluated the knowledge of diabetes mellitus and predictors of the level of diabetes knowledge among the general public of Singapore. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to evaluate the fit of different factor models for the diabetes knowledge questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine the sociodemographic characteristics associated with diabetes knowledge.