scholarly journals Depression among medical students in Alexandria, Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1416-1425
Author(s):  
Wafaa Ihab Hafez Elsawy ◽  
Aida Aly Reda Sherif ◽  
Medhat Salah El Din Attia ◽  
Nessrin Ahmed El- Nimr

Background: Depression is a common illness worldwide with high rate among medical students. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of depression among medical students in Alexandria, and identify its correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria Uni- versity. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 390 students attending 4th, 5th, and 6th academic years were included. Data was collected using the Arabic version of the BDI-II and a predesigned structured self-administered questionnaire, including questions about the students’ personal and social characteristics and academic environment. Results: Moderate and severe depression accounted for 27.9% and 17.2%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis results showed that the independent predictors for moderate and severe depression were female gender, the presence of mental illness, not having someone to talk to when under stress, experiencing stressful life event(s) during the previous 6 months, not being satisfied with the socioeconomic level, reporting that the surrounding environment is not suitable for studying, not specifying a grade to achieve, and extreme dissatisfaction with the student’s result. Conclusion: Prevalence of moderate and severe depression was high among medical students, calling for actions to help those students and to prevent new cases. Keywords: BDI-II; depression; determinants; medical students; prevalence.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1723-1731
Author(s):  
Waseem Sajjad ◽  
Anwisha Samreen ◽  
Syed Asfand Yar Shah ◽  
Afifa Batool ◽  
Muhammad Umair ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression among medical students and its association with various sociodemographic characteristics. Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study. Setting: Nishtar Medical University, Multan. Period: August 2019 to September 2020. Material & Methods: A sample of 315 medical students were chosen by stratified random sampling technique. Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used for screening and assessing the severity of depression. A special questionnaire was designed containing sociodemographic and educational characteristics. Data were collected via online forms and were analyzed using SPSS V26. Results: Out of 315 students, who participated in the study, 134 (42.5%) were female students, and 181 (57.5%) were male students. 63 (20%) students were taken from each academic year from 1st year through 5th year (final year). 64% of the students were suffering from depression. The proportion of students suffering from mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression was 27%, 18%, 11%, and 8% respectively. Depression was more prevalent among female students (73.1%) as compared to male students (58.0%) with a p-value <0.05. Conclusion: Depression is a serious problem for medical students. It was significant among female, preclinical students, living in the home with a family history of depression in financial pressure. It should be sorted out early to make early interventions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold ◽  
Yosef Tsige Radie ◽  
Nigussie Tadesse Sharew

Background.The emotional consequences of diabetes have been scrutinized by a number of investigative teams and there are varying reports about the association of depression with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, there is limited data about this in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of comorbid depression among type 2 diabetic outpatients.Methods and Materials.Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted on a random sample of 276 type 2 diabetic outpatients from Black Lion General Specialized Hospital. Systematic random sampling technique was used to get these individual patients from 920 type 2 diabetic outpatients who have an appointment during the data collection period. Patients’ depression status was measured using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ 9).Result.Totally 264 type 2 diabetic outpatients were interviewed with a response rate of 95.6%. The prevalence of depression among type 2 diabetic outpatients was 13%. Based on PHQ 9 score, 28.4% (75) fulfilled the criteria for mild depression, 12.1% (32) for moderate depression, 2.7% (7) for moderately severe depression, and 1.5% (4) for severe depression. But 45.8% (121) of patients had no clinically significant depression.Conclusion.This study demonstrated that depression is a common comorbid health problem in type 2 diabetic outpatients with a prevalence rate of 13%.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-320
Author(s):  
Bárbara Santos Pereira Neres ◽  
Maria Luiza Andrade Aquino ◽  
Vinicius Sousa Pietra Pedroso

ABSTRACT Objective: Depression and suicidal behavior have been described as major problems among medical students. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and suicidal behavior among medical students of an institution and to investigate possible associated variables. Methods: The authors carried out a cross-sectional study through a self-administered questionnaire, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS) instruments. The diagnosis of depression was based on an instrument adapted according to the DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria. Logistic regression was performed to search for depression predictor variables. Results: In a total of 381 students, the prevalence of depression was 27.6%. Suicidal ideation of moderate to severe intensity was observed in 10.5% of the sample. About 6% of students had previously attempted suicide. Consumption of licit and illicit drugs was frequent among the participants, reaching 78% and 24% of the sample, respectively. The demand for specialized treatment was lower than expected among students with depression. Logistic regression revealed that female gender, reduced interpersonal contact with friends, reduced physical activity, difficulty in facing new situations and high perception of personal pressure were risk factors for depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and suicidal behavior among medical students is higher than in the general population. There is a need for further studies to enable a better understanding of the risk factors and variables at play, which is fundamental for the development of early intervention strategies and support for students.


Author(s):  
Farzana Hamid ◽  
Syed Ahmad Moosa ◽  
Syed Moosa M.A. Quaium ◽  
A. K. Fazlul Haque

Background: Depression is not uncommon among medical students all over the world. Few studies have been conducted so far in Bangladesh to depict its actual prevalence and severity. So, the aim of this study was to assess the severity of depression and the level of difficulty faced by medical students in different academic years.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in North East medical college of Bangladesh from January 2018 to June 2018 involving 443 students from 1st year to 5th year. Students were instructed to fill up the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) which incorporates diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) depression diagnostic criteria categorized as no, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression and also evaluates their level of function.Results: The prevalence of depression was quite high (79.68%). 196 (44.24%) and 157 (35.44%) students had mild and major depression respectively, while 90 (20.32%) showed no depression. Students with major depression were scored as moderate depression 24.38%, moderately severe depression 8.35%, and severe depression 2.71%. Moderate depression was significantly higher in year 1 and year 2 students in comparison to year 3, 4 and 5. Students from year 1 to year 5 with mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe depression experienced varying degree of difficulty in their daily activities. Almost all the students in all years with severe depression found themselves very difficult or extremely difficult to cope.Conclusions: High prevalence of depression among medical students is really alarming and underlying factors need to be addressed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Special2) ◽  
pp. 395-401
Author(s):  
Ann Mary Thomas ◽  
Babita Susan ◽  
Jacob Davies Kalliath ◽  
Vinu Cherian ◽  
Brilly M Rose ◽  
...  

Background: Elderly constitutes a vulnerable group for depression, as they are especially prone to suffer adverse consequences of a depressive episode and have greater rates of completed suicides. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and determinants of geriatric depression.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 250 elderlies from 1st January 2019 to 1st January 2020 in the different rural blocks of Ernakulam district, India. The multistage sampling technique and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) were used to collect the data. A score of 0 9 is considered "normal", 10 19 is labeled as "mildly depressed", and 20 30 as "severely depressed". Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS software. The Chi-square test /Fisher's exact test was used to study the association between the socio-demographic and behavioral variables with depression. Results: The mean age was 69.33 ± 7.41years and male: female ratio was 0.55: 1.The overall prevalence of depression was 52.4%. Advanced age over 70years [OR=2.04;95% CI, 1.227 – 3.394; P=0.006], female gender[OR=2.844;95% CI,1.663-4.865; P =<0.001], lack of gainful employment [OR=3.504; 95% CI, 1.833–6.699; P =<0.001], physical dependence [OR=0.365;95% CI,0.162–0.821; P =0.012], financial dependence [OR=0.388; 95% CI, 0.219–0.687; P =<0.001], presence of medical co morbidities [OR=0.428; 95% CI, 0.212–0.866; P =0.016],poor lifestyle including the lack of regular exercise [OR =2.020; 95% CI,1.174–3.473; P =0.010], addiction to alcohol [OR=4.932;95%CI,1.600-15.208; P =0.004] and addiction to tobacco smoking [OR=2.905;95%CI,1.273-6.628; P =0.009] and poor family support [OR= 5.180;95% CI,716–15.636; P = 0.002] were found to be significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among the elderlies was high, and hence early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to reduce its burden in the community.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
(MD

Abstract Background: Undiagnosed depression among university students has an adverse effect on the wellbeing and academic performance of students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among Debre Birhan university students. Methodology: Institutional based cross-sectional study design is conducted in Debre Birhan University from April to June 2013 E.C. Three hundred sixty nine students participated in this study which was selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a self-administered PHQ-9 standard depression questionnaire. First the data was entered into in Epidata 3.1 and then was exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Associated factors were identified using binary logistic regression and variables with a p-value < 0.05 were declared as statistically significant factors with the outcome variables. Result: All of the study subjects were between ages 18 and 33 with a mean age of 22.65 9 ± 2.78. The overall prevalence of depression is 17.1%. Among this according to PHQ-9 scores cut scores, 161(43.6 %) scored as normal (0–4), 145(39.3%) scored as mild (5–9), 53(14.4%) scored as moderate (10–14), 4(1.1%) scored as moderately severe (15–19) and 6(1.6%) students scored as sever (> 20). In multivariate analysis being female AOR = 9.28[3.47–24.81], academic year AOR = 0.236[0.059–0.936], smoking 26.3[9.33–74.1] and alcohol use AOR of 2.62[0.95–7.21] are significantly associated with depression. Conclusion and recommendation: This study found a considerable proportion of undergraduate students with depression. Higher institutions need to pay special attention to students especially those who are female, junior students, smokers and alcohol users.


Hypertension ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian S Costa ◽  
Marina C Marins ◽  
Jocasta C Ansel ◽  
Carolina P Tavares ◽  
Fernanda T Queiroz ◽  
...  

Introduction: Medical students, susceptible to sleep disorders, have irregular sleep-awake cycle, with repercussions on the quality of life and reduced academic performance, often with greater incidence of psychiatric disorders, estimated at 15% to 25% during your academic training. Objective: To evaluate the sleep habits in students of medical school in a private college of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Method: This subset study is a part of an observational study with cross-sectional delineation, with data collected through the application of an anonymous questionnaire, where they were asked about the number (and modification) of hours they sleep daily, in addition to reports of “stress and anxiety”. These data collected formed the basis of an instrument for assessing the quality of life on the medical students of this College. Results: We analyzed data from 481 students: 82 (17%) at the first year, 118 (24.5%) at the second year, 99 (20.6%) at the third, 64 (13.3%) and 118 (24.5%) within the fifth and sixth years. The average age was 21.7 years (16-42) and 306 (63.6%) of female gender. As for the hours of sleep, 445 students (92.5%) report 5 to 8 hours of sleep, and 216 (44.9%) a minimum of 6 hours. In the sleep of the weekends, 394 (81.9%) reported change in the number of hours and, 313 (65.1%) referred to a reduction after the entrance into college. It was reported "some level of stress and anxiety,“ not related to the least number of hours sleepping (0.07). Comparing the data obtained among the 199 students of the first and second years (62.8% female-group A) to 117 at fifth and sixth years (70.9% female-group B), we observed similarity in relation to (1) number of 5 to 8 hours sleepping (A 92.9% x 90.5% B), (2) change the hours of sleepping on the weekends (A 81.9% x 79.5% B), and (3) reduction of sleepping hours after the entrance into College (A 81.9% x 78.6% B). With regard to the report of "stress and anxiety”, we observed statistically significant difference between the groups (A 100% x 88% B, p < 0.03). Conclusion: The change in lifestyle imposed on joining a new school learning model, generates anxiety and loss of sleep hours among students. The development of resilience and adaptation to change, both individual and institutional, may have been responsible to varying degrees of stress.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2333-2336
Author(s):  
Anum Arif ◽  
Minahil Iram ◽  
Sabih Nofal ◽  
Aima Sohail ◽  
Bismah Riaz ◽  
...  

Aim: To assess prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, Stress in medical students, interns, and residents in Pakistan Study design: Cross-sectional Survey (Questionnaire) based study. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College from March 2020 to May 2020. Results: 104 participants were included in the study. There was female predominance 58(55.8%), and the mean age was 23.55±1.42. The overall mean score of depression and anxiety was 21.2±12.67 and 15.7±10.67 respectively and most prevalent in third and fourth-year residents. The mean stress score was 13.7, 10. 27. Twenty-eight (26.9%) of the overall participants had extremely severe depression, 36 (34.6 %) had extremely severe anxiety and 13(12.5%) had severe stress. Doctors studying and practicing in the private sector have a higher DASS21 score (p = < 0.006) Conclusion: Multiple factors have been found to contribute to the poor mental health of health care workers, including financial trouble, sleep deprivation, abuse from colleagues, high expectations, female gender, broken relationships, and substance misuse. Keywords: Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Medical, Mental Health Problem Solving, Psychological Distress,


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1776-1782
Author(s):  
Shehla Gul ◽  
Muhammad Adnan Bashir ◽  
Sohail Ali

Objectives: The study aimed at determining the frequency and severity of depression in primary caregivers of psychotic patients. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Out-patient as well as in-patient setting of Department of Psychiatry, Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: Six months, from 20th April 2017 to 19th October 2017. Material and Methods: Purposive, non-probable sampling technique was used. A total of 246 caregivers of the same number of psychotic patients were studied after consent, using the General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). The mean total BDI scores were calculated and correlated with the socio-demographic variables. Results: The mean total GHQ-28 score of 246 caregivers was 7.32 (cut off score is >7) which indicate definite psychopathology among them. Out of 246 caregivers, 175 (71.1%) showed scores greater than 7 (GHQ positive) while 71 (28.9%) showed scores less than 7 (GHQ negative). The mean total BDI score of 175 caregivers (who were GHQ positive) was 17.83 (cut off score for depression is >9). Out of 175 GHQ positive caregivers, 72 (41.14%) showed subclinical or no depression, 49 (28%) showed mild depression, 40 (22.86%) showed moderate depression and 14 (8%) showed severe depression on BDI. The results show that there is considerable caregiver burden in relatives of psychotic patients. Conclusion: Caregivers of psychotic patients suffer clinical depression with obvious negative outcomes for the patient. Younger age group, female gender and illiteracy typically carry a greater risk of experiencing higher burden in terms of depression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2215-2218
Author(s):  
Anum Arif ◽  
Minahil Iram ◽  
Sabih Nofal ◽  
Aima Sohail ◽  
Bismah Riaz ◽  
...  

Aim: To assess prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress in medical students, interns and residents in Pakistan Study design: Cross-sectional Survey (Questionnaire) based study. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College from March 2020 to May 2020. Results: 104 participants were included in the study. There was female predominance 58(55.8%), and the mean age was 23.55±1.42. The overall mean score of depression and anxiety was 21.2±12.67 and 15.7±10.67 respectively and most prevalent in third and fourth-year residents. The mean stress score was 13.7, 10. 27. Twenty-eight (26.9%) of the overall participants had extremely severe depression, 36 (34.6 %) had extremely severe anxiety and 13(12.5%) had severe stress. Conclusion: Multiple factors have been found to contribute to the poor mental health of health care workers, including financial trouble, sleep deprivation, abuse from colleagues, high expectations, female gender, broken relationships, and substance misuse. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in common in medical students. This calls for the development of strategies, workshops, and programs to identify modifiable stressors, encourage students to reach out to their family members and their teachers to verbalize their issues, and make psychiatric consultation accessible to them. Keywords: Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Medical, Mental Health Problem Solving, Psychological Distress,


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