Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Depression Amongst Medical Students (original) (raw)

Awais Hafeez et al PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SJIF Impact Factor: 7.187 STUDY TO KNOW THE PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AMONG MALES AND FEMALES MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES AND ITS RELATED FACTORS QR code

Introduction and purpose: With high level of demands in academics and psychosocial pressure, medical students during their course of training tend to become depressed, leading to problems later in professional life and compromising patient care. This study was held to determine the prevalence of depression in male and female students and related factors amongst medical undergraduates. Study Design: A Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: In the Department of Psychiatry in Mayo Hospital Lahore for Six months duration from September 2019 to February 2020. Material and method: out of 330 students from 3 rd year to 5 th year, 285 students were selected using stratified random sampling method and were assessed by investigators using Beck Depression Inventory. Associations between class of studying and depression, social factors like family problems, substance use, family history of depression and residing away from family were scrutinized by univariate analysis. Results: 78% was the overall depression prevalence among medical students. Most people had mild to moderate depression observed among 80%. This study revealed that among women depression was noted in 74.81% (101) and among males 48.6%. 30(10%) students were found normal (0-9), mild depression was noted in 86 (28.7%) (10-18), moderate in 86 (28.7%) (19-29), severe in 21 (7.0%) (30-40) according to cutoff scores) and very severe depression was noted in 19 (6.3%) with > 40 cutoff score. Among 3 rd and 4 th year medical students; the depression prevalence was relatively low and the variance between the year of study and grade of depression was significant (χ2 = 122, p <0.001). Its prevalence was much higher in people with a positive family history of depression and having family issues. Conclusion: Depression is very common amongst medical students. Female students reported more cases of depression than their male counterparts. Our conclusions point to the significance of broad screening and psychiatric counseling of this susceptible population.

Study of Depression among Medical Students

Background: Currently, depression among medical students is an important health issue at the global level. Academic pressure, though established, is an unavoidable cause of depression in medical students. It is associated with anxiety and psychological stress. Aim and objectives: To assess depression levels among medical students by using a self-administered Goldberg depression questionnaire. Methods:18-item questionnaire was given to the students and information was collected. Goldberg depression scale was used to assess the severity of depression. The results were analyzed using suitable statistical methods. Results: Among the study population 36.1% of medical students had depressive symptoms. In the present study depression is more among the female students when compared to male students and the difference is statistically significant (p=0.02). Conclusion:The early identification of depression can be helpful both for physical and mental wellbeing and we can minimize its impact on health by emotional support, interpersonal psychotherapy and communication skill training.

Prevalence of depression among medical students: A Cross-Sectional Study

The Professional Medical Journal, 2021

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression among medical students and its association with various sociodemographic characteristics. Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study. Setting: Nishtar Medical University, Multan. Period: August 2019 to September 2020. Material & Methods: A sample of 315 medical students were chosen by stratified random sampling technique. Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used for screening and assessing the severity of depression. A special questionnaire was designed containing sociodemographic and educational characteristics. Data were collected via online forms and were analyzed using SPSS V26. Results: Out of 315 students, who participated in the study, 134 (42.5%) were female students, and 181 (57.5%) were male students. 63 (20%) students were taken from each academic year from 1st year through 5th year (final year). 64% of the students were suffering from depression. The proportion of students suffering from mild, moderate, moderately sev...

depression among medical students JSZMC.docx

ABSTRACT Introduction: Depression is a Psychological disorder that affects a person's mood changes, physical functions, and social interactions. Medical studies are stressful this may exert a negative effect on the academic performance, body fitness and psychosomatic health of the student. Pakistan is a developing country and depression among students of this country has a bad effect on its struggle to excellence. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression among medical students of Quaid-e-Azam medical college, Bahawalpur. Study Design: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in Quaid-e-Azam medical college Bahawalpur from 1st May 2016 to 1st August 2016. 150 both male and female of Quaid-e-Azam medical college Bahawalpur were included in the study. Predesigned questionnaire regarding the prevalence of depression among medical students was used to collect data. Data Analysis: Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS 17. The results was presented in percentages, frequencies, and tables. Results: Seventy percent students were Nondepressed. Depression was more of the female gender. The number of depressed students was high in the first year followed by in second year, the third year, final year and fourth year. 13 % students were mildly depressed, 9% were moderately depressed and 8% students were severely depressed. Conclusion: The present study concludes that the depression rate is more among medical students. Key Words Depression; Prevalence; Psychological Order. Abbreviations: Quaid- e- Azam Medical College (QAMC) Bahawalpur (BWP) Percent (%) And (&)

Prevalence of depressive symptoms in medical students

Acta Medica Medianae, 2019

Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms are common in medical students. The objective of the paper was to assess and to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the first and fourth year medical students. Methods. The cross-sectional study based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was done. The response rate was 83% (331 of 400). Overall, 48% of the students (both first and fourth year) had symptoms of depression. The average PHQ-9 score in first year students was significantly higher than in fourth year students, 6.75 ± 4.60 vs. 5.03 ± 4.67, p < 0.05. The most prevalent were mild depresive symptoms and they were observed in almost every third medical student. The female students had significantly higher average PHQ-9 score compared with the male students 6.37 ± 4.88 vs. 4.89 ± 4.27, p < 0.01. The significant negative correlation between depressive symptoms in medical students and their everyday achievement was observed (ρ = 0.610; p < 0.001). More than a half of all the examined students did not have signs of depression and 48% of them did. Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in the first year students than in the fourth year students and also among the female compared with the male students. Depressive symptoms had a significantly negative impact on daily activities of the students. During medical studies students experience high levels of stress and they should be screened for the symptoms of depression.

Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among Medical Students: a Cross-sectional Single-centre Study

2020

Background: Depressive symptoms are common among medical students. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms among medical students in Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample selected from 1041 medical students at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depressive symptoms. A logistic regression model was used to determine risk factors for depressive symptoms. Results: Of 197 medical students selected, 189 (61 men and 128 women) responded. The PHQ-9 results showed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 41.3%. In multivariate analysis, female students were more likely than male students to develop depression (adjusted odds ratio = 2.866, p = 0.004). Medical students with a family history of depression were more likely to develop depression than those without a family history of depression (adjusted odds ratio = 4.150, p = 0.014). Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are common among medical students in Sultan Qaboos University. Risk factors for depressive symptoms are female sex and family history of depression.

Original Research Article_Prevalence of depression and associated factors among undergraduate medical students

Indian Journal of Mental Health, 2021

Background: Depression has become one of the commonest mental ailments in current era. Its impact is far more in medical personnel than general population. Most of the medical students leave their houses for the first time and enter into the new environment of knowledge and responsibility. Though various studies have reported high prevalence of depression among undergraduate students, it was desirable to know its status in south Rajasthan. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted on 302 undergraduate medical students to know prevalence and risk factors for depression. Along with the pre-designed questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Scale was used as study tools. Cut off value of 17 and above was considered to define the depression on BDI scale. Results: Prevalence of depression was 10% among undergraduate medical students. Statistically, female gender and students studying in fifth semester were significant risk factors. Residence, socioeconomic class and family history of depression were not significant associated factors. Conclusion: Prevalence of depression is higher among medical undergraduates as compared to general population with female gender and fifth semester students being important risk factors.

Prevalence of Depression among Medical Undergraduates of Medical College Srinagar JK

Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences, 2020

Original Research Article Background: Depression among medical students is an important health issue at the global level. Academic pressure, though established, is an unavoidable cause of depression in medical students. It is associated with anxiety and psychological stress. Medical education across the globe is perceived as being inherently stressful. Studies on psychological problems such as stress, depression and anxiety among medical students have found that these disorders are under diagnosed and under treated. In this background the present study was undertaken with the objectives to assess the magnitude of depression and its associated factors among medical students. Methods: Medical undergraduates of Govt. Medical College Srinagar were enrolled for the study conducted between October 2018 to December 2018. A predesigned, pretested scale was used to assess their depression levels Results: The overall prevalence of depression was found to be 47.5%. Among those with depression, 49.5% had mild depression and 21% had borderline depression. Moreover, 26.31% had moderate depression and 3.15% was found with severe depression. 41.05% (39) of the depressed were males and 58.9% (56) were females. According to cutoff scores, 105 students (52.5%) scored as normal (1-10), 47 (23.5%) as mild (11-16), 20 (10%) as borderline (17-20), 25 (12.5%) as moderate (21-30), and 03 (1.5%) as severe (31-40) depression. The prevalence of depression was comparatively less among 2nd year and 3rd year medical students (35.38% and 30.22%, respectively) (χ2=34.76, P=0.001). Conclusion: Emphasize should be laid on the importance of screening for depression of medical students on a regular basis for early detection and rendering appropriate intervention like group counseling, stress management training etc. to protect the future professionals.

Depression Among Undergraduate Medical Students

BACKGROUND: Psychological stress is common in medical school and associated with depression. Medical education is grooming in Nepal, but only few studies are done concerning mental health of medical students. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of depression among medical students at different levels of education and find about their stressors. METHODS: A cross sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out among the undergraduate medical students of B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal. 50 students each from Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) first and third year were enrolled in the study conducted between November 2008 to January 2009. The depression levels were assessed using Zung depression scale. Students were asked to complete the questionnaire and then the depression levels calculated .The stress inducing factors during their course of medical education were also assessed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of depression among the students was 29.78 percent. The prevalence of depression in first and third year was 36.74and 22.22 percent respectively. The prevalence of depression was 32.43 percent among female students versus 28.07 percent in male students. Both first and third year students gave high ratings to academic stress and hectic lifestyle as the main stress inducing factors. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression is seen especially in the first year medical students. So, attempts should be made to alleviate the stressors right from the time they join medical school. Since academic stress proved to be one of the major factors, measures to make the academic curriculum more student-friendly are suggested.

Pattern and Correlates of Depression among Medical Students: An 18-Month Follow-Up Study

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 2019

Background: Medical students are subjected to various challenges, which are possibly etiological in the onset and persistence of depression. There is inadequate research on the longitudinal pattern and correlates of the emotional health of medical students in India. We aim to delineate the longitudinal pattern of depression among medical students and the factors predictive of depression. Methods: An 18-month follow-up design with 350 students (2012 intake) from two medical colleges in Kerala, India, was employed. A semistructured questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 were administered 2, 8, and 18 months into the course. Results: Depression was present in 42.80%, 36.20%, and 42.50% of the students at the three assessments. Variables significantly associated with depression on univariate analysis were the course not being of the student's choice at the first assessment; having an unemployed parent (mother) at the second assessment; alcohol use and male gender at the third assessment. On multivariate analysis, male gender (OR = 1.95[1.11-3.41]) and the presence of depression at 2 months (OR = 2.30[1.31-4.05]) and 8 months (OR = 2.48[1.39-4.44]) were predictive of depression at 18 months. Conclusions: The high rates of depression and the pattern of high rates early in the course among the medical students contrasts with that reported from other countries. Early depression and male gender were predictive of depression later in the course. The implications of this are to be taken into consideration when undergraduate intervention programs are planned.