PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STRESS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS AT FACULTY OF MEDICINE, PRINCESS OF NARADHIWAS UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research aims to study the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in medical students, faculty of medicine, PNU and its association with some factors. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among medical students in the faculty of medicine, PNU. The self-administered online questionnaires consisted of socio-demographic data, depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21). The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-Square correlation coefficient and Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) with logistic regression analysis. A total of 74 students participated in the study with the mean age 21.5±1.2 years, most of them were female. Among the medical students the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress were 32.5%, 33.8%, and 24.4% respectively. Factors associated with depression were age, academic year, residence, GPA, GPAX, and personal medicine. Factors associated with anxiety were GPA and GPAX. Factors associated with stress were age, academic year, residence, GPA and GPAX. In conclusion, One-third of medical students have experienced depression, anxiety, and stress. The study’s findings show that medical students are the group with the highest level of anxiousness. The factors that contribute to mental health issues are numerous, so there should be increased surveillance as well as a prevention strategy that includes training psychologists to provide counseling, disseminating information to raise awareness of these issues, and finally, a strategy for close observation of high-risk groups. To find other contributing aspects to academic medical education, more research must be conducted.