The prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress and its association with sleep quality among medical students

Abstract

Objectives: Currently, depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students are important health issues at global level. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress among medical students, and its association with socio-demographic characteristics and sleep quality. Materials and Methods: DASS-42 Scale and Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire were used to assess information on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality. A total of 610 students (44.10% males and 55.90% females) with mean age of 20.90±2.10 years participated in the present study. Results: The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 60%, 66%, and 63% among all participated medical students, respectively. Depression level was high among students with poor economic level. Anxiety level was high among pre-clinical students with poor economic level, females and the ones whose choice of the medical faculties was not voluntarily. Stress level was higher in females. The correlation between sleep quality and depression, anxiety, stress was found statistically significant, negative, and low level. High depression, anxiety, and stress levels decreased students' sleep quality. Conclusion: An important proportion of medical students had high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Providing individual guidance and psychological counseling services for medical students could be beneficial.