Depression in Medical Academia: A Study on Prevalence and Risk Factors among Undergraduate Students in Jammu, India

Abstract

Background and Aim Medical students endure elevated stress levels. Contemporary data on the epidemiology of depression and its concomitant risk factors in this demographic is pivotal in comprehending its ubiquity and for instituting preventative strategies. This research endeavors to scrutinize the prevalence of depression in undergraduate medical students and identify the diverse risk factors implicated.Methods In February 2023 a cross-sectional investigation was undertaken at a private medical institution in North India. A cohort of 302 medical students underwent depression screening and evaluation of related factors through the utilization of the 9-Item-Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9.Results A substantial proportion 71.2 215302 exhibited varying degrees of depression. The PHQ-9 responses facilitated the categorization of students into distinct severity brackets 28.8 mild 19.9 moderate 11.6 moderately severe and 10.9 severe depression. Implementing a PHQ-9 score threshold of ge10 delineated an overarching depression prevalence of 42.38. Univariate logistic regression identified numerous significant correlates of depressive symptoms including urban habitation having a limited number of siblings engaging in moderate physical activity and enrollment in specific professional academic years. Nevertheless multivariable logistic regression affirmed only urban dwelling and the academic duress experienced in the first third or fourth professional years as persistent significant correlates.Conclusion The study unveiled a high prevalence 42.38 of moderate to severe depression among medical students advocating for meticulous surveillance and further assessment of the affected individuals. It is imperative to devise and implement robust strategies to mitigate academic stressors and forestall the descent into depressive states.