Moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety and depression are increased among female medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Luiz Takano,Carlos Izaias Sartorão Neto,Arlete Aparecida Marçal,Wilson Conte De Las Villas Rodrigues,Shirlene Pavelqueires,Ricardo Beauchamp De Castro,Carlos Izaias Sartorão Filho,Wilson Luis De Oliveira

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i6.15406

Luiz Takano, Carlos Izaias Sartorão Neto + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i6.15406

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Abstract

Background: Emotional disorders in medical students are expected and deserve more attention, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Objective: Evaluate anxiety and depression disorders among medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study at a private medical college in Brazil, two months after stay-at-home order and postponed classes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A survey among medical students was conducted in May 2020, using questionnaires regarding social and demographic status, the GAD-7 for symptoms of anxiety, and the PHQ-9 for symptoms of depression. Results: A total of 340 of 347 (97.98%) medical students participated. The average GAD-7 score was 9.18 (±4.75), and the average PHQ-9 score was 12.72 (±6.62). The results indicate a significant positive relationship between GAD-7 and females (F=5.816 P=.016). Using a cut-off score of 10 for GAD-7, 157 (46.17%) students were identified with moderate or severe anxiety symptoms. For the PHQ-9 score, using a cut-off of 10 219 (64.41%), students were recognized with moderate or severe symptoms of depression; the results indicate a significant positive relationship between the PHQ-9 and females (F=5.640 P=.018). Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of moderate and severe anxiety and depression symptoms among female medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Highlights

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students during the period of the COVID-19 Pandemic to identify groups that may require mental health care
A total of 240 of 340 (70.80%) students referred impairment in their financial status that may compromise their continuity on the course, and 99 of 340 (29.20%) students responded that social isolation due to the Pandemic has not affected their financial status and not affected their continuity on the course
Our results revealed a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students, with a relevant higher prevalence in females and students with alleged financial status impairment

Summary

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic, spreading rapidly and several risks of morbidity and mortality worldwide. (WHO, 2020) With prevention, many countries such as Brazil introduced restrictions including social distancing, self-isolation, and closure of social and educational institutions.Universities worldwide suspended or postponed all activities and substituted the classroom program for online classes. (Sahu, 2020) Medical schools face many challenges due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: shifting from classroom to online courses, impacting assessments and evaluation programs, travel restrictions among students from long distances, social limits, personal financial impairment due to pandemic period, and mental health impact. (Sahu, 2020) In medical undergraduates, emotional disorders are common and deserve special attention. (Ahmed, Banu, Al-Fageer, & Al-Suwaidi, 2009; Lai et al, 2020; Moutinho et al, 2017; Pappa et al, 2020; Puthran, Zhang, Tam, & Ho, 2016) Psychological reactions to pandemics, including maladaptive behaviors, emotional distress, and defensive responses, deserve special attention in this vulnerable group. (Cullen, Gulati, &Kelly, 2020; Thomas & Bendtsen, 2019) During this Pandemic period, there is a lack of knowledge for graduate students' mental health, especially in the medical area. (Sahu, 2020) Medical schools face many challenges due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: shifting from classroom to online courses, impacting assessments and evaluation programs, travel restrictions among students from long distances, social limits, personal financial impairment due to pandemic period, and mental health impact. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students during the period of the COVID-19 Pandemic to identify groups that may require mental health care. For the PHQ-9 score, using a cutoff of 10 219 (64.41%), students were recognized with moderate or severe symptoms of depression; the results indicate a significant positive relationship between the PHQ-9 and females (F=5.640 P=.018). Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of moderate and severe anxiety and depression symptoms among female medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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