Determinants of depression among undergraduate medical students of a private medical college in Lahore

Zafar, Uzma; Daud, Seema; Khalid, Ayesha

doi:10.5455/jpma.13896

Cited by 9 publications

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“…Various factors have been associated with the increased prevalence of depression among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, including being female, precariousness, previous history of psychiatric illness, social isolation, COVID-19 illness, symptoms compatible with COVID-19, low quality of social relationships, low quality of COVID-19 information received, being a student aged 18–24 years, difficulties with paying for tuition fees prior to the pandemic, increased use of social media, internet use disorder, lack of physical activities/exercise, fear of COVID-19, poverty, and substance abuse ( 4 , 13 – 16 ). In addition to COVID-19-related factors, several other factors have been associated with depression, including unhappy interpersonal relationships, chronic physical medical illnesses, chronic mental illnesses, low self-esteem, poor academic performance, family history of mental illness, financial constraints, insecurity at places of residence, smartphone addiction, being single, and the negative perception of the students of their learning environment ( 17 – 24 ). The effects of depression among students vary from mild effects such as poor academic performance ( 25 ) to very extreme events such as suicidal behaviors ( 9 , 26 – 28 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Depression and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2022

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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted psychosocial well-being and mental health of students across the world. Although students are vulnerable to depression and suicidal ideation, few studies have been conducted in Uganda. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation, and associated factors among undergraduate university students in Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduates [N = 540; 363 males; mean age = 23.3 (± 2.64) years] recruited from four universities using an online questionnaire that explored sociodemographic factors, depression, and other associated factors. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression, and Item 9 was used to assess suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation.ResultsThe prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 20% (n = 108) (cut-off: 10/27 based on the PHQ-9), and the prevalence of past-2-week suicidal ideation was 13.89% (n = 75) (cut-off: 1/3 based on the PHQ-9 Item 9). About half of the individuals who screened positive for depression had suicidal ideation. Factors associated with depression were: having relationship issues [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.81, p = 0.012], and having a history of sexual abuse (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.10–3.84, p = 0.023). Factors associated with reducing the risk of depression were: satisfaction with current academic performance (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.32–0.79, p = 0.003), and being in the fifth year of academic study (aOR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.03–0.73, p = 0.018). Factors associated with suicidal ideation were: smoking cigarettes and/or marijuana (aOR = 4.83, 95% CI = 1.10–21.12, p = 0.037), and having financial tuition constraints (aOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.08–3.16, p = 0.024), However, satisfaction with current academic performance reduced the likelihood of suicidal ideation (aOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.23–0.70, p = 0.001).ConclusionApproximately one-fifth of undergraduate university students were moderately to severely depressed, especially those who had relationship issues and those with a history of sexual abuse. Suicidal ideation was common among smokers and those having financial tuition constraints. Therefore, it is recommended that the university authorities implement measures to provide psychological support for the students with problems concerning financial tuition constraints, relationships, and sexual abuse. Also, all students with depression should be screened for suicidality.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Depression and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2022

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“…In our study, students in their middle years showed higher depression levels than first-year students. This varies from study to study, given that some stated that depression was more frequent during the first academic years and others stated that it was more frequent during the last ones (28)(29)(30)(31). Our findings may be explained by the fact that middle-year students feel more uncertainty and fear toward failing their academic semester, since they had already invested in their first study years as opposed to first-year students.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia de COVID-19

et al. 2022

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Introducción: la pandemia vivida obligó a cambios sociales que pudieron influir en la salud mental. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal analítico y multicéntrico, en 2572 estudiantes universitarios de 16 ciudades de Perú. Los diagnósticos de depresión, ansiedad y estrés se obtuvieron con la escala DASS-21 (alfa estrés: 0.85; alfa ansiedad: 0.84 y alfa depresión: 0.87). A estos se los cruzó con importantes variables socioeducativas. Resultados: la ansiedad fue la patología más frecuente (4 % de forma extrema severa, 3 % de forma severa y 10 % de forma moderada); el estrés y la depresión no tienen asociación con la carrera profesional (p > 0.330 y p > 0.440, respectivamente); en cambio, la ansiedad fue menor en los estudiantes de carreras de salud (p = 0.011). Las mujeres tuvieron más estrés (p = 0.040) y ansiedad (p = 0.017). A mayor edad, hubo menos estrés (p = 0.002), depresión (p = 0.006) y ansiedad (p = 0.044). Los de tercer año tuvieron más depresión en comparación con los de primer año (p = 0.011). Conclusiones: existen importantes prevalencias y asociaciones de las tres patologías evaluadas, lo que debe ser monitorizado según como están actualmente. Esto por las posibles futuras manifestaciones de crisis de pánico, estrés postraumático, entre otras.

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“…Our results indicated that an alarming 48.6% and 48.1% of medical students were having anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak. These prevalence estimates are not only much higher than recent reports of COVID-related self-reported anxiety and distress (25-27%) of medical students, but also in comparison to the reported global prevalence of depression (27.2%) and anxiety (33.8%) among medical students as well as from Pakistan [1,2,[7][8][9]. Although it is no surprise that medical students in Pakistan experience a much higher level of anxiety and depression than the general population as well as age-matched peers during COVID-19, but the findings are quite alarming.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Anxiety and Depression Among Medical Studentsmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…8 College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan. 9 Department of Psychiatry, Sidra Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar. 10 Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, Fountain House, Lahore, Pakistan.…”

Section: Fundingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The hidden crisis: COVID-19 and impact on mental health of medical students in Pakistan

Imran

Haider²,

Mustafa

et al. 2021

Middle East Curr Psychiatry

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Background Medical students have faced an enormous disruption to their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical student’s psychological well-being in Pakistan. Following ethical approval, an online survey developed in collaboration with World Psychiatric Association (WPA) was distributed among medical students of 5 Medical colleges in the Punjab province of Pakistan between August and September 2020. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale (RASS) were used to assess psychological well-being. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results Eleven hundred medical students responded, 756 (69%) being females. More than 2/3rd admitted that their emotional state got worse in relation to appearance of anxiety, insecurity, and sadness, compared to before the outbreak of COVID-19. Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 48.6% and 48.1%, respectively. Female medical students, pre-clinical students, and those with a previous psychiatric history reported experiencing more anxiety and depression symptoms (P value < 0.001). One in five medical students thought that it would be better if they were dead, and 8% admitted to often think of committing suicide during the past 2 weeks. RASS and subscales (intention, life, and history) scores were higher in females and students with previous psychiatric problems. Conclusion Our findings underscore that the impact of COVID-19 on medical students has been significant; hence, it is crucial for medical colleges to employ strategies to maintain the student’s well-being with safeguards like reassurance, support, and confidential student-centered psychiatric services. The use of virtual platforms (websites, email) to educate and screen students by staff members can create a positive impact. The limitations of this study include cross-sectional design, the possibility of selective participation being web-based survey, response bias, and the possibility of reluctance of students to report mental health problems due to stigma.

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Determinants of depression among undergraduate medical students of a private medical college in Lahore

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Depression and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Depression and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia de COVID-19

The hidden crisis: COVID-19 and impact on mental health of medical students in Pakistan

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