scholarly journals Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among medical students: a cross-sectional survey in Turin

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Lo Moro ◽  
F Bert ◽  
E Olivero ◽  
P Rossello ◽  
A Corradi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A high prevalence of mental illnesseshave been detected in medical students (MS) during college. The aim of this study was to evaluate depressive symptoms (DS) and suicidal ideation (SI) in MS and estimate factors that can influence these conditions. Methods In November 2018 a cross-sectional survey was conducted at the School of Medicine of Turin, Italy. The questionnaire consisted of a 30-item sociodemographic part and 3 psychometric tests, including the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Overall, 506 surveys were collected. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed mainly. The significance level was p ≤ 0.05. Results Females were 65% and median age was 22 (IQR 19-24). Median BDI-II score was 9 (IQR 4-15). Presence of DS (BDI-II score>13) and of SI was found in 29% and 15% of the sample, respectively. Preliminary results showed that females (OR 2.03, CI: 1.16-3.56), non-heterosexuals (OR 2.69, CI: 1.49-4-84), participants negative about their college choice (OR 4.79, CI: 2.78-8.26) had a higher risk to report DS. MS who consider unsatisfying their friendships with classmates had a higher likelihood of reporting DS and SI (OR 3.10, CI: 1.16-8.30; OR 2.91, CI: 1.10-7.68, respectively). While the opposite was for those with good economic condition (OR 0.39, CI: 0.16-0.91; OR 0.21, CI: 0.09-0.52, respectively) and those practicing sports more than 90 min/week (OR 0.60, CI: 0.37-0.99; OR 0.47, CI: 0.25-0.89, respectively). Choosing Medicine for profit was related to a higher risk of reporting SI (OR 3.36, CI: 1.43-7.92), having a good family bond to a lower risk instead (OR 0.42, CI: 0.20-0.84). Conclusions Since depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, it has to be a public health priority in Europe. It is essential to consider MS as at risk and set up interventions to improve factors surrounding them and help them to face difficulties in personal and academic life, without forgetting that they will be the future health professionals. Key messages Females, non-heterosexuals, students negative about Medical School choice and students unsatisfied with their friendships with classmates had a higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms. Students unsatisfied with their friendships with classmates and students who chose Medical School for profit had a higher risk of reporting suicidal ideation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-77
Author(s):  
THAÍS CAMPELO BEDÊ VALE ◽  
LÍVIA RODRIGUES DE ARAÚJO ◽  
VITÓRIA NUNES MEDEIROS ◽  
JOSÉ HÍCARO HELLANO GONÇALVES LIMA PAIVA ◽  
TATIANA PASCHOALETTE RODRIGUES BACHUR ◽  
...  

Depression is a common mental condition worldwide and a major cause of debility, with the potential to impair the quality of life of affected people. Medical students are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders, with depression, anxiety, and burnout being the most common ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in medical students and their association with burnout and aspects of life. This is an analytical cross-sectional study. Data collection was performed using four validated scales and a questionnaire in 511 medical students from the first to the fourth year from different universities. Depression was present in 49% of the students. A correlation was found between depression and female gender. Regarding the students' daily sleep time, 54.5% of the students slept only 3 to 6 hours per night. The use of psychoactive substances was reported by 29.9%. Regarding the emotional support offered by universities, about 92.8% of students with depressive symptoms reported not receiving adequate emotional support. As for quality of life, all domains were impaired among students with depression. According to the two-dimensional criterion, 37% of the students have burnout, with correlation between the presence of the syndrome and depressive symptoms. In addition, burnout proved to be an independent risk factor for suicidal ideation and self-mutilation. New methods that can help detect and address factors that trigger stress and depressive symptoms in medical students are needed to reduce the incidence of depression.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Marvin Kanyike ◽  
Ronald Olum ◽  
Jonathan Kajjimu ◽  
Daniel Ojilong ◽  
Grabriel Madut Akech ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID-19 is still a major global threat and vaccination remains the long-lasting solution. Unanimous uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is required to subsequently avert its spread. We therefore, assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, hesitancy, and associated factors among medical students in Uganda. Methods This study employed an online descriptive cross-sectional survey among medical students across 10 medical schools in Uganda. A structured questionnaire as a Google form was sent to participants via WhatsApp. Data was extracted and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and STATA 16. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Results We surveyed 600 medical students, 377 (62.8%) were male. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptability were 30.7% and 37.3%, respectively. Factors associated with vaccine acceptability were being female (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.9, p = 0.001), being single (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.9, p = 0.022). Very high (aOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.7–6.9, p < 0.001) or moderate (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.1, p = 0.008) perceived risk of getting COVID-19 in the future, receiving any vaccine in the past 5 years (aOR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5, p = 0.017), and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9, p = 0.036). Conclusions This study revealed low levels of acceptance towards the COVID-19 vaccine among medical students, low self-perceived risks of COVID-19, and many had relied on social media that provided them with negative information. This poses an evident risk on the battle towards COVID-19 in the future especially when these future health professions are expected to be influencing decisions of the general public towards the same.


PeerJ ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Spogmai Khan ◽  
Waqar Sharif ◽  
Uzma Khalid ◽  
Asad Ali

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-57
Author(s):  
Nuzhat Aisha Akram ◽  
Nazia Jameel ◽  
Bushra Iftikhar ◽  
Tahira Assad ◽  
Farhan Muhammad Qureshi

Objective: To compare the severity of cognitive, affective and somatic symptoms of depression between two samples of medical students with high and low suicidal ideation using Beck Depression Inventory Study Design and Setting: This is a cross sectional study conducted in public and private medical colleges in Karachi from September-December 2018. Methodology: A total of 150 normal healthy students with 75 each from public and private medical colleges in Karachi were sampled through purposive sampling technique. Beck depression inventory (BDI) with twenty one items for depressive symptoms was used. Suicidal ideation was assessed using item 9 of BDI and participants were identified as having high and low suicidal ideation. Remaining twenty items of BDI were categorized as affective, cognitive and somatic symptoms of depression. Severity of each symptom was assessed through BDI score on a 4-point scale. Hypothesis testing for difference in BDI scores of depressive symptoms between high and low suicidal ideation cases was performed through independent sample t tests. Result: BDI showed significantly higher suicidal ideation in public medical colleges’ students. Cases with high suicidal ideation showed higher prevalence of five cognitive (past failure, feeling guilty, self-image, feeling of being punished, crying spells), four affective (sadness, irritability, decision making, self-dislike) and one somatic (physical health) symptoms of depression. Conclusion: Significant higher prevalence of affective and cognitive symptoms of depression was found among cases of higher suicidal ideation


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Hinderaker ◽  
David V. Power ◽  
Sharon Allen ◽  
Ellen Parker ◽  
Kolawole Okuyemi

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