Moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety and depression are increased among female medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Emotional disorders in medical students are expected and deserve more attention, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Objective: Evaluate anxiety and depression disorders among medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods:  A cross-sectional study at a private medical college in Brazil, two months after stay-at-home order and postponed classes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A survey among medical students was conducted in May 2020, using questionnaires regarding social and demographic status, the GAD-7 for symptoms of anxiety, and the PHQ-9 for symptoms of depression. Results: A total of 340 of 347 (97.98%) medical students participated. The average GAD-7 score was 9.18 (±4.75), and the average PHQ-9 score was 12.72 (±6.62). The results indicate a significant positive relationship between GAD-7 and females (F=5.816 P=.016). Using a cut-off score of 10 for GAD-7, 157 (46.17%) students were identified with moderate or severe anxiety symptoms. For the PHQ-9 score, using a cut-off of 10 219 (64.41%), students were recognized with moderate or severe symptoms of depression; the results indicate a significant positive relationship between the PHQ-9 and females (F=5.640 P=.018). Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of moderate and severe anxiety    and depression symptoms among female medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.