Depression among Medical Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Medical students encounter multiple psychological changes in the transformation from young insecure students to efficient physicians. They have to balance the personal, social and academic dimentions in a busy schedule. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of depression among medical students of a medical college. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of a medical college from 2 May 2017 to 16 October 2017 after taking ethical approval from the Departmental Research Unit (Reference number: Psy/73/078/079). Students participated voluntarily in the study from first to fourth year and written informed consent was taken. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-42 scale was filled by the students taking their own time and privacy to assess their depression, anxiety and stress. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 302 medical students, 86 (28.47%) (23.38-33.56, 95% Confidence Interval) had depression. A total of 31 (36.04%) had mild, 31 (36.04%) had moderate, 12 (13.95%) had severe and 12 (13.95%) had extremely severe depression. Among them 55 (63.95%) were males and 31 (36.04%) were females. Conclusions: The prevalence of depression among medical students was similar to the other studies conducted in similar settings. Studies concerning the subjective well-being of medical students should be continued and strategic plans and programs should be conducted to help the students manage their stress and depressive symptoms right from the time they join the medical school and continued till they finish the course.