Prevalence of Depressive Disorder, Perceived Stress and their Associated Factors in Undergraduate Medical Students at the University of Caldas

Abstract

Objective: To examine the presence of depression, perceived stress, and associated factors in a sample of medical students at the Universidad de Caldas (Colombia). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study was conducted in 2018 with 211 medical students from the Universidad de Caldas, in Manizales (Colombia). Participants completed three self-report instruments: a questionnaire on demographic and clinical variables, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and a binary logistic regression model. Results: Sixty-three percent of the participants presented some degree of depression; 17% showed severe depression. Statistically significant risk factors included high perceived stress (OR = 18.7; 95% CI: 4.4–80), perceived poor health status (OR = 6.7; 95% CI: 2.7–16.7), spending time alone (OR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.4–12.8), female sex (OR = 4.2; 95% CI: 2.2–7.9), and a family history of suicide or suicide attempts (OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.6–7.7). Conclusions: A high prevalence of depression was found among medical students, mainly associated with elevated levels of perceived stress. It is necessary to implement support measures aimed at managing depression and stress. Future research should explore the coping strategies used by students to deal with stress and mood variations.