PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS : A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY CONDUCTED AT MIDNAPORE MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, PASCHIM MIDNAPORE DISTRICT WB, INDIA

Dr. Abantika Bhattacharya, Dr Supantha Chatterjee, Dr. Amiya Bhattacharya, Dr Baijayanti Baur, Dr. Kishore P Madhwani

Abstract


BACKGROUND: Depression among medical students represents a neglected public health problem in India. Medical education is highly
stressful for students. Medical students are confronted with significant academic, psychological and existential stressors. They repeatedly
experience different stressors which make them vulnerable for psychological problems. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of
depression among the undergraduate medical students.
METHODS: The study was an observational, descriptive and cross sectional study, period of study being three weeks i.e. from 1st April 2019 to 21st
April 2019 among 67 4th semester batch of medical student of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. A predesigned, pretested structured
questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was collected during relaxed state when there is no exam and in a stressful condition, one week
before the seasonal exam.
RESULTS: The questionnaire consisted of “Beck Depression Inventory II” collected from 67 students. Of the 67 medical students participated in
the study, 22 (32.84%) were males and 45 (67.16%) were females. The overall prevalence of depression was found to be 40.30%. Majority were
Hindu 52 (77.61%) followed by Islam 15 (22.39%). Higher level of depression was observed among age group more than or equal to 22 (23.88%)
years and least were found in age group of 20 years (4.48%). It was also found that anxiety score was higher in tensed state while the stress and
depression scores were higher in relaxed state. Stress, anxiety and depression scores of females are more than males in relaxed state.
CONCLUSIONS: There is increased prevalence of depression among the medical students. The severity is more among the females. Early
screening and intervention are advisable because it will help the students in reducing their stress, anxiety and depression which are in their initial
phase and can be managed easily with few sessions of counselling


Keywords


Depression, Medical students, BDI.

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