Abstract
Fear and anxiety is a natural response during crisis. From constant worry of getting infected, death of loved ones, transitioning of lifestyle to loss of social connection; there can be several psychological triggers. The effect on mental health on the general population could be greater than those affected by the infection itself during the pandemic. Among medical students, who already have several other psychological afflictions, these triggers might be detrimental. Hence, this study aims to find out the prevalence of composite anxiety-depression among medical undergraduates in a tertiary care hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduates in a tertiary care hospital from 20th December 2020 to 5th January 2021. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee. The sample size was calculated and convenient sampling was done. The data were entered in International Business Machines Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Out of 315 participants on the Patient Health Questionnaire-Anxiety and Depression Scale, severe composite anxiety-depression was seen in 10 (3.17%) at 95% Confidence Interval (1.23-5.1) participants, moderate in 35 (11.11%) at 95% Confidence Interval (7.63-14.58) and mild in 98 (31.11%) at 95% Confidence Interval (25.99-36.22). And 172 (54.6%) at 95% Confidence Interval (49.1-60) were normal. The rapid rise of apprehension among people amidst infectious outbreaks can ensue and medical students are no exception. So, at this time of crisis, there is a need to protect their mental health and it should be emphasized and endorsed.
Highlights
Fear and anxiety is a natural response during crisis
This study aims to find out the prevalence of composite anxiety-depression among medical undergraduates in a tertiary care hospital
Out of 315 students included in the study on the PHQADS scale, 143 (45.39%) students had different grades of composite anxiety-depression
Summary
Fear and anxiety is a natural response during crisis. From constant worry of getting infected, death of loved ones, transitioning of lifestyle to loss of social connection; there can be several psychological triggers. The effect on mental health on the general population could be greater than those affected by the infection itself during the pandemic. This study aims to find out the prevalence of composite anxiety-depression among medical undergraduates in a tertiary care hospital. Apprehension of contracting infection, change in lifestyle associated with lockdown, mass quarantine, death of loved ones has created an insurmountable psychological pressure among general population, which may lead to various. Chalise et al Composite Anxiety-depression Among Medical Undergraduates during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.[3] Psychological affliction among medical students tends to be greater than their non-medical contemporaries in itself.[4] Add on to that, the damaging effect on mental health among them during pandemic and subsequent lockdown could have been escalated. It is important to find out the prevalence of these problems so that early and appropriate interventions can be done
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