The difference in participants’ characteristics between samples and the inconsistency in the methodology have led to variability in both direction and magnitude of association between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the relationship between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents. Primary studies on cyber-victimization and depression among adolescents (10–19 years of age based on WHO definition) on PubMed and EMBASE databases were included. The forward and backward snowballing searching method was also used to explore more publications. The main effect estimate extracted from eligible studies was the odds ratio which was synthesized based on the random-effect model. The protocol of this study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42020185700). Among 1,008 research articles identified, 17 were eligible which comprised a total sample of 79,202 adolescents. The odds of depression among cyber-victims was almost three-fold higher (OR = 2.73; 95% CI 2.25–3.31) compared to non–cyber-victims. The overall effect estimate remained positive irrespective of differences in sample and method characteristics (study location, female percentage, sampling procedures, the use of single vs. multiple items, and elaboration of cyber-bullying definition). The presence of traditional bullying items was found to be important moderator of this relationship. However, none of the anticipated moderators had a clear impact on this relationship. Moreover, absence of publication bias was confirmed. This study confirms findings from the literature about the significant association between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents across settings and populations. More efforts should be made to address this issue rigorously and to a greater extent.

This study was conducted to evaluate the routine medical check-up and self-treatment behaviors of people living in a remote and mountainous setting in Northern Vietnam and identify their associations. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 175 people in August 2018 in Cao Son commune, Da Bac district, Hoa Binh. Information regarding routine medical check-ups and self-treatment behaviors was collected by using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the associations. Results show that 24% of the mountainous people had routine medical check-ups in the last 12 months. The rate of self-treatment in the past three months was 33.7%. The number of chronic diseases ( OR = 1.5 , 95% CI = 1.0 ‐ 2.3 ), health information sources from radio/television ( OR = 3.3 , 95% CI = 1.2 ‐ 9.5 ), or social media ( OR = 24.8 , 95% CI = 1.2 ‐ 512.4 ) was related to routine medical check-up. People who did not have routine medical check-up were more likely to have self-treatment practice ( OR = 6.3 , 95% CI = 1.9 ‐ 21.1 ) than those who had a regular health check. Promoting health education and communication through mass media to raise people’s awareness about regular health check-ups is a promising way to improve people’s self-treatment status.

Background Cyberbullying has become an alarming social issue, but little is known about its prevalence and consequences in many countries. This study investigated the prevalence of cyber-victimization and its association with depression among students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,492 students from eight secondary schools and high schools in four urban and suburban areas. Multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used to recruit participants. Students participated in this study on a voluntary basis and completed a self-report questionnaire that included validated scales to measure their experience of cyber-bullying (Cyber Bullying Scale) and symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale). Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for the cluster effect and sampling probability. Results Almost all (92.4%) students reported using the internet everyday and nearly 40% used internet for more than four hours per day. Cyber-victimization was identified in 36.5% of students and almost 25% experienced multiple types of cyber-victimization. Nearly half of students reported symptoms of depression. After adjusting for other covariates, students who experienced cyber-victimization were found to have 1.81 times (95% CI [1.42–2.30]) higher in odds of having symptoms of depression. Conclusions Cyber victimization and depression are both common in Vietnamese adolescents. Those who experienced cyber bullying have a higher likelihood of having symptoms of depression. These findings indicate an urgent need for interventions and policies targeting this emerging type of bullying in Vietnam and similar settings due to its potential harmful effects on adolescents’ health.