Abstract

PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG MALE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN MAJMAAH UNIVERSITY, SAUDI ARABIA, 2016

Mohammed Ayed Alanazi*, Anas Saad Alsaab, Ali Abdulkarim Almuhesseny, Yazeed Saad Alsubaie, Abdullah Saifaldeen Al-Subhi, Abdullah Khalid Alfonisan and
Mohammed Abdulrahman Alhassan

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and depression are common problems which reflect the mental status of people and have a major effect on medical students. Many Studies reported anxiety and depression among medical students especially in their first academic year. Objective: To assess prevalence of depression and anxiety among male medical students in Al- Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, 2016. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted at the medical college of Majmaah university. A self- administered questionnaire which was given to each male students in the Medical College of Majmaah University. Result: Out of 217 students, 177 have completed the questionnaire with a response rate of (81.5 %). The questionnaire was distributed in medical college of Al- Majmaah university among all five batches. Regarding depression level, we found that 139 (78.5%) were within the normal level, while 17 (9.6%), 9 (5.1%), 12 (6.8%) suffer from mild, moderate, and severe depressions respectively. Based on BDI questionnaire cut-off point, 38 (21.5%) (P=0.06) suffer from depression. In regards to anxiety, we were found that 4 (2.3%), 20 (11.3%), and 153 (86.4%) who suffered from severe anxiety, moderate and very low anxiety states respectively. Based on the BAI questionnaire cut-off point, 24 (13.6%) (P=0.091) students are suffering from anxiety. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study identified that there is a substantial proportion of medical students have symptoms of depression and anxiety. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety was found to be higher than the average reported in the general population.

Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, First year, medical, Undergraduate.