Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Medical Students before their Final Examinations at a Private Medical College of Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-sectional Study
Introduction: Due to their susceptibility to mental health problems, medical students should have their prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression checked before their final examinations. Aim: To assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among medical students at a private medi...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/18874/67589-REDRAFTED_arpitakabiraj_F(IS)_PF1(DA_OM)_redo_PFA(SHU)_Ref.PAT(OM)_PB(DA_OM)_PN(OM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: Due to their susceptibility to mental health problems,
medical students should have their prevalence of stress, anxiety,
and depression checked before their final examinations.
Aim: To assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression
among medical students at a private medical college in Tamil
Nadu, India, four weeks before their final examinations.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at
a private medical college, Tamil Nadu, India, including 297 Bachelor
of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students, using
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire
in December 2022 The survey was completed independently by
the students with verbal agreement obtained; the response rate
was 68.2%. The short form and history of usage of the DASS-21 in
comparable medical student research led to its selection.
Results: The mean age of the study participants was 20.48±1.23
years. The DASS-21 revealed prevalence rates of 60.9% for
depression, 72.7% for anxiety, and 40.4% for stress among 297
first- to third-year medical students. There was no discernible
effect of gender on these rates. With a depression frequency
of 69% and significantly higher rates of severe depression
(18.6%), first-year students demonstrated the highest scores,
which were statistically significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for preventative
actions, such as professional counselling, early detection of
mental health problems, and educational programs on healthy
coping mechanisms. To support medical students from the
start of their academic journey and ultimately promote their
resilience and mental health, these interventions should be
specially designed. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |