Depression, Anxiety and Stress and their associated factors among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background

Medical students are subjected to a unique set of stressors that can significantly impact their mental health. Due to

the strenuous course of MBBS, which lasts forfive years, characterized by rigorous course work, long hours of study

duration and the emotional toll of clinical training often leads to elevated levels of stress, anxiety and depression

among the students. With these viewpoints, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and

stress and its associated factors among undergraduate medical students in Lucknow.

Material and Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 medical students to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for

depression in a private medical college and hospital in North India, utilising a random sampling method. Along with

the pre-tested questionnaire which was validated by the pilot study done on 30 students, the Depression Anxiety

Stress Scale (DASS) was used as study tool to assess the level of depression and anxiety among the study

population. Collected data was analysed statistically by simple proportions and the chi-squared test.

Results

The overall prevalence of abnormal levels of stress was 68.5% followed by depression which had a prevalence of

52.7%. In terms of severity stress was the most prevalent condition with more than a quarter (28.20%) of the

students presenting with severe and very severe scores compared depression (19%).The prevalence of depression

and anxiety was higher among final year students (55% and 73% respectively) and first year medical students (54%,

76%) respectively. A significant association was found between the prevalence of depression in medical students

with family history of mental illness.

Conclusion

Prevalence of depression is higher among medical undergraduate students. This study suggests that there are

certain risk factors other than academic stressors which predispose medical students to psychological morbidity

such as anxiety and depression.