Abstract

LEVEL OF DEPRESSION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Saba Fatima, *Naveed Ali Siddiqui, Nimra Urooj, Ahsan Javed, Syed Khalil Ahmed Agha and Zulfiqar Ali Moosa

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The system of medical education is depressing. Numerous research across the world have focused on that the students of medical pursuing profession are subjected to outrageous depression which cause psychological illness like anxiety, depression and also it may give rise to suicidal thoughts. The aim of this study is that it will increase awareness of depression among medical students. Objective: To study the level of depression among undergraduate medical students of private medical colleges in Karachi, Pakistan. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted at different private medical colleges, Karachi in August 2017 till January 2018. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was organized on randomly selected private medical colleges of Karachi. Sample size of 181 was calculated by using software SPSS version 22. A close ended, self-administered, modified form of standardized questionnaire was used which was comprised of 2 parts. First part included collection of socio-demographic data, second part had questions for the assessment of depression. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) was utilized in scoring the depression level in the study subjects. Results: Among 181 medical students, 78 (43.1%) were normal. 53 (29.3%) presented with mild depression, 30 (16.6%) had moderate depression, 8 (4.4%) had severe and 12 (6.6%) were found to be severely depressed which were highly statistical significant. Conclusion: In the present study, rate of depression was higher in medical students. It is recommended in future that depression reducing intervention needs to be encouraged in professional program.

Keywords: Depression, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Medical students, Student mental health.