[Association between atmospheric ozone exposure and adolescent depression in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region].

Objective

To explore the relationship between long-term exposure to atmospheric ozone (O3) and adolescent depressive mood, and provide baseline data for the prevention of depression in adolescents and mental health interventions in schools.

Methods

Daily environmental pollutant and meteorological data were collected from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region between 2023 and 2024. A total of 83 601 adolescents from 12 leagues (103 banners/counties/districts) in the region were selected by using stratified random cluster sampling. Depressive symptoms were measured by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. A multivariate logistic regression analysis model was used to evaluate the association between O₃ exposure and the prevalence of depression.

Results

A total of 83 601 adolescents were surveyed, with a depression detection rate of 18.4% (15 356 individuals). There was a significant association between long-term O₃ exposure and the risk for depression in adolescents. The annual average concentration of O₃ one year prior to the survey showed the greatest effect, with every 10 μg/m³ increase in O₃ exposure associated with a 15% rise in depression risk (OR=1.15, 95%CI:1.10-1.21). Stratified analysis revealed that the following subgroups had significant higher risks for depression:girls (OR=1.36, 95%CI:1.25-1.49), junior high school students (OR=1.39, 95%CI:1.27-1.52), those whose mother's had educational attainment at and above university or college level (OR=1.35, 95%CI:1.15-1.58), and those whose father had educational attainment at or below the primary school level (OR=1.41, 95%CI:1.21-1.65), non-only children (OR=1.28, 95%CI:1.18-1.39), those with parents suffering from chronic diseases (OR=1.26, 95%CI:1.13-1.41), students without personal health conditions (OR=1.27, 95%CI:1.17-1.36), those who had experienced harm (OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.15-1.75), those satisfied with life (OR=1.37, 95%CI:1.20-1.57), participants reporting moderate stress (OR=1.35, 95%CI:1.21-1.50), individuals with daily internet use exceeding 4 hours (OR=1.26, 95%CI:1.06-1.49), members of large families (OR=1.47, 95%CI:1.24-1.74), and residents of the eastern region (OR=1.67, 95%CI:1.50-1.86). The results of the sensitivity analysis model remained relatively stable, indicating that O₃ has an independent effect on the risk of depression onset.

Conclusion

There is a statistically significant association between long-term O₃ exposure and the risk of depression in adolescents, which warrants more attention.