Mental Health Effects of Online Education among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID19) pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of the general population, including medical students. As part of the control measures, the Government of India implemented a nationwide lockdown, resulting in the closure of medical institutes. However, medical education continued through online teaching platforms, which was a new experience for students and caused them significant stress. Aim: To assess the mental health effects, specifically anxiety and depression disorders, among medical students in Kalaburagi city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between June 1st and June 30th, 2021, involving four medical colleges in Kalaburagi city: Khaja Banda Nawaz Institute of Medical Sciences (KBNIMS), Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College (MRMC), Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), and Employees State Insurance Corporation Medical College (ESICMC). A total of 261 students were surveyed using prestructured questionnaires that included socio-demographic information, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale for anxiety assessment, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale for depression assessment. The questionnaires were prepared using Google Forms and distributed through WhatsApp groups. The data was collected and analysed using International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Out of the 261 students, 99 (37.9%) reported moderate anxiety symptoms, and 72 (27.6%) reported severe anxiety symptoms. The depression score indicated that 119 (45%) students had moderately severe to severe depression symptoms. Conclusion: The study revealed that online teaching and learning methods had a significant impact on students, leading to a higher prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. These mental health issues may adversely affect learning abilities and preparedness for the future. It is crucial for medical colleges to address these concerns and develop effective interventions to support students during pandemic situations and continuous online teaching.