Predictors of Depression and Anxiety among Medical Students

  • Bipin Thapa Department of Child, Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
  • Suman Sapkota Department of Child, Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
  • Anil Khanal Department of Research and Development, Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal
  • Binod Kumar Aryal Ministry of Health and Population, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Yifei Hu Department of Child, Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v21i1.4514

Abstract

Background: Medical undergraduates are more prone to emotional distress in comparison to the general population and non-medical undergraduates. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety symptoms among undergraduate medical students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 medical students in a medical institute in Kathmandu. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-42 was used to identify the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms. The data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models.
Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms was 30.9% and 38.7% respectively. Depression symptoms were more likely to be prevalent among fourth and fifth-year students, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.03-3.75) compared to second and third-year students, and those who failed in the last academic examination (aOR 2.55, 95% CI: 1.28-5.09). Anxiety symptoms were more prevalent among male students (aOR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.04-4.27), those who were from the relatively less advantaged ethnic group (aOR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.04-4.16) and those who stayed outside the dormitory (aOR 2.90, 95% CI: 1.46-5.78).
Conclusions: The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among medical students was high. Psychological support is needed to ensure the mental well-being of medical students.
Keywords: Anxiety; DASS-42; depression; medical students.

Published
2023-09-08
How to Cite
Thapa, B., Sapkota, S., Khanal, A., Aryal, B. K., & Hu, Y. (2023). Predictors of Depression and Anxiety among Medical Students. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 21(1), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v21i1.4514
Issue
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2023): Issue 58 Jan-March, 2023
Section
Original Article

Copyright (c) 2023 Bipin Thapa, Suman Sapkota, Anil Khanal, Binod Kumar Aryal, Yifei Hu

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