The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Psychological Health and Depression in Sirjan Azad University Students (2004)

  M. Kazemi MSc [1] , S. Karimi MSc [2] , A. Ansari MSc¹, T. Negahban MSc [3] , SH. Hosseini MSc [4] , R. Vazirinejad PhD [5]

  Recived: 20/08/2005 Revised: 29/05/2006 Accepted: 06/06/2006

  Background and Objective: Fasting improves both spiritual and physical aspects of individual's performance. In other words, fasting has many advantages in improving human health and elimination of abnormal behavior. In general, the advantages of fasting include psychological, physical and spiritual benefits. In this study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on psychological health and depression among university students has been evaluated.

  Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixty one students were randomly selected and their demographic information was collected. Psychological health and depression scores were examined by Ferrell 12-item scale and standard Beck depression test, respectively. The data were collected in two different occasions 10 days before and 10 days after Ramadan. Mean scores of psychological health and depression of students in these two occasions were compared.

  Results: The mean score of psychological health of participants before Ramadan was 33.94±8.55 (Mean±SE) that increased to 34.5±8.2 after Ramadan. Mean score of depression before Ramadan was 14.45±10.33 that decreased to 11.88±10.38 after Ramadan. These differences were statistically significant.

  Conclusion : Our findings confirmed that Ramadan fasting could be an important factor for improving mental health and elimination of depression in university students.

  Key words : Ramadan Fasting, Mental Health, Depression, University Students

  [1] - Academic Member Dept. of Nursing &Midwifery, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan

 �(Corresponding Author) Tel:(0391)5225900, Fax: (0391) 5228497, E-mail: maj-kaz@yahho.com

  [2] - Academic Member Dept. of Nursing &Midwifery, Azad University, Sirjan

  [3] - Instructor Dept. of Nursing &Midwifery, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan

  [4] - Academic Member Dept. of Basic Sciences, Nursing School, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan

  [5] - Assistant Dept. of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan