Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda
Ronald Olum,1 Frederick Nelson Nakwagala,2 Raymond Odokonyero3 1School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda; 3Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, K...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Advances in Medical Education and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/prevalence-and-factors-associated-with-depression-among-medical-studen-peer-reviewed-article-AMEP |
| _version_ | 1819008098335981568 |
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| author | Olum R Nakwagala FN Odokonyero R |
| author_facet | Olum R Nakwagala FN Odokonyero R |
| author_sort | Olum R |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ronald Olum,1 Frederick Nelson Nakwagala,2 Raymond Odokonyero3 1School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda; 3Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Ronald OlumSchool of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, PO Box 7072, Kampala, UgandaTel +256-775-512-540Email olum.ronald@gmail.comBackground: Depression affects about a third of medical students worldwide. There is paucity of data on depression among medical students in Uganda. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with depression among medical students at Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS), Uganda.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at MakCHS in May and July 2019. Students were enrolled by consecutive sampling, both online using Google Forms and in person for those unable to access internet. The self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) was administered to assess depression, defined as a PHQ9 score ≥ 10. Microsoft Excel 2016 and Stata 16 were used for data analysis.Results: Overall, 331 valid responses (mean age 23.1± 3.3 years) were submitted (response rate 93.8%). In a majority of participants, the prevalence of depression was 21.5% (n=71) of which 64.1% had moderate depression (n=50). On bivariate analysis, year of study, worrying about academic performance, and lectures were significantly associated with depression. On multivariate analysis, worrying about academic performance (aOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.50– 4.22; P< 0.001) and lectures (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.11– 3.22; P=0.018) were significantly associated with depression.Conclusion: Depression affects a significant number of medical students at MakCHS. About one in five medical students have depression. Year of study and academic performance were significantly associated with depression. Efforts aimed at identification and evaluation of students at risk, administering appropriate interventions, and follow-up of affected students are vital. Analytical studies aimed at establishing the causative factors and the effects of depression on medical students are recommended.Keywords: depression, medical students, risk factors, PHQ9, Uganda |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T00:35:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-04ded5906956409781039a88f3e8807e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-7258 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T00:35:04Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advances in Medical Education and Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-04ded5906956409781039a88f3e8807e2022-12-21T19:21:49ZengDove Medical PressAdvances in Medical Education and Practice1179-72582020-11-01Volume 1185386059252Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, UgandaOlum RNakwagala FNOdokonyero RRonald Olum,1 Frederick Nelson Nakwagala,2 Raymond Odokonyero3 1School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda; 3Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Ronald OlumSchool of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, PO Box 7072, Kampala, UgandaTel +256-775-512-540Email olum.ronald@gmail.comBackground: Depression affects about a third of medical students worldwide. There is paucity of data on depression among medical students in Uganda. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with depression among medical students at Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS), Uganda.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at MakCHS in May and July 2019. Students were enrolled by consecutive sampling, both online using Google Forms and in person for those unable to access internet. The self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) was administered to assess depression, defined as a PHQ9 score ≥ 10. Microsoft Excel 2016 and Stata 16 were used for data analysis.Results: Overall, 331 valid responses (mean age 23.1± 3.3 years) were submitted (response rate 93.8%). In a majority of participants, the prevalence of depression was 21.5% (n=71) of which 64.1% had moderate depression (n=50). On bivariate analysis, year of study, worrying about academic performance, and lectures were significantly associated with depression. On multivariate analysis, worrying about academic performance (aOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.50– 4.22; P< 0.001) and lectures (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.11– 3.22; P=0.018) were significantly associated with depression.Conclusion: Depression affects a significant number of medical students at MakCHS. About one in five medical students have depression. Year of study and academic performance were significantly associated with depression. Efforts aimed at identification and evaluation of students at risk, administering appropriate interventions, and follow-up of affected students are vital. Analytical studies aimed at establishing the causative factors and the effects of depression on medical students are recommended.Keywords: depression, medical students, risk factors, PHQ9, Ugandahttps://www.dovepress.com/prevalence-and-factors-associated-with-depression-among-medical-studen-peer-reviewed-article-AMEPdepressionmedical studentsrisk factorsphq-9uganda |
| spellingShingle | Olum R Nakwagala FN Odokonyero R Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda Advances in Medical Education and Practice depression medical students risk factors phq-9 uganda |
| title | Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda |
| title_full | Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda |
| title_short | Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda |
| title_sort | prevalence and factors associated with depression among medical students at makerere university uganda |
| topic | depression medical students risk factors phq-9 uganda |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/prevalence-and-factors-associated-with-depression-among-medical-studen-peer-reviewed-article-AMEP |
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