Assessment of Mental Health in Medical and Dental College Students in Jazan Province to See the Delayed Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to assess the depression and anxiety among medical and dental students of Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Materials and methods: An online descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 117 students of Jazan University. Depression and anxiety among the students were assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Association between independent variables and questionnaire scores was calculated using the Chi-square test. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value less than 0.05. Results: Eighty-one students (69.2%) and 72 (61.5%) who participated in the survey were suffering from depression and anxiety, respectively. The medical students had significantly more severe anxiety (p = 0.028) than dental students. No significant association of gender with the presence of depression and anxiety was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Two-thirds of the participants were suffering from some form of depression or anxiety. Medical students reported higher levels of anxiety than dental students. No association was found between depression and anxiety with gender. Clinical significance: COVID-19 had an impact on the mental health of the students and proper counseling from time to time should be provided.