Background To evaluate the global prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students and potential associated factors. Methods PubMed and Web of Science were searched from their inception to March 28, 2021. Random‐effects models were used to calculate the pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential heterogeneity. Egger’s and Begg’s test were used to assess publication bias. Results A total of 64 studies with 100,187 individuals were included in the present meta‐analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students was 33.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.3%–37.8%) and 39.0% (95% CI, 34.6%–43.4%), respectively. The highest prevalence of depression symptoms was found in Africa region (40.1%, 95% CI 12.3–67.9%), lower middle‐income countries (42.5%, 95% CI 28.6–56.3%), and medical college students (39.4%, 95% CI 29.3–49.6%). For the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, the highest was observed in North America (48.3%, 95% CI 37.4–59.2%), lower middle‐income countries (54.2%, 95% CI 35.0–73.4%), medical college students (47.1%, 95% CI 35.1–59.1%) and identified by Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (49.1%, 95% CI 31.0–43.0%). Besides, the prevalence of depression symptoms (35.9%, 95% CI 20.2–51.7%) and anxiety symptoms (40.7%, 95% CI 39.5–42.0%) was higher in studies conducted after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak. Conclusions Our study suggests that a lot of college students experience depression and anxiety symptoms and clarifies factors that are related to these mental disorders. Effective prevention and intervention strategies for mental disorders should be developed among college students.

Background/ObjectiveMental health problems are common among college students. This study sought to assess the prevalence and risk factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms and well-being among Chinese college students 9 months after initiation of the outbreak of COVID-19.MethodA cross-sectional study (N = 3,951, mean age = 19.58) was conducted from October to December 2020. An online survey was used to collect socio-demographic data, and the symptoms of depression and anxiety and satisfaction with life using Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item Scale (PHQ-9), and the 5-items Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).ResultsThe prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 59.35 and 54.34%, respectively, and the score of satisfaction with life was 20.51 ± 6.42 among Chinese college students during the pandemic. After controlling for covariates, students in urban areas (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.61–0.87), with good family economic levels (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.66–0.91), and having psychological counseling (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.42–0.73) were positively associated with depression symptoms; meanwhile, higher anxiety symptoms were observed among medical students (AOR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69–0.95). Besides, healthy lifestyle such as regular physical activity and diet was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. Multiple linear models revealed that medical students (β = 0.479, P = 0.031), those with good family economic level by self-evaluation (β = 1.283, P < 0.001 for good; β = 3.013, P < 0.001 for general), good academic performance by self-evaluation (β = 1.786, P < 0.001 for good; β = 3.386, P < 0.001 for general), learning burden (β = 1.607, P < 0.001 for general; β = 2.117, P < 0.001 for light), regular physical activity (β = 0.859, P < 0.001), daily routine (β = 1.289, P < 0.001), diet (β = 1.714, P < 0.001), and sufficient sleep (β = 1.408, P < 0.001) had more score of SWLS (all β > 0, P < 0.05), while senior students (β = −1.053, P=0.009), students having psychological counseling (β = −1.753, P < 0.001), and drinking (β = −0.743, P = 0.012) had lower satisfaction with life.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that more attention should be paid to psychological health among college students, especially during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Policy makers and educators should help college students develop a healthy lifestyle with regular diet and exercise to promote the psychological health of college students.

As the backbone for the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), nurses have been playing key roles in cabin hospitals, isolation wards, and intensive care units for critical cases. Anesthesia nurses have their own professional specialties, such as airway management, the use and maintenance of life support equipment, including ventilators, and the use of high-flow oxygen equipment. With rich experience in emergency responses and nursing, anesthesia nurses, along with emergency nurses and critical care nurses, play important roles during the treatment of patients with COVID-19. In our hospital, 27 of 34 anesthesia nurses participated in the front-line fight against COVID-19 and did an excellent job. Anesthesia care by nurses is relatively new in China, and the role of anesthesia nurses during a disaster response has not been fully appreciated. Given their specialty, anesthesia nurses have played important roles in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. We hope that authorities will consider including anesthesia nurses in national disaster response medical rescue teams.

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