Abstract
BackgroundDepression is a common mental health problem in medical students worldwide. The association between depression and motivation in Vietnamese medical students is not well-documented.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of self-reported depression and to identify associated risk factors among medical students at Hanoi Medical University (HMU).MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students with clinical experience at HMU from November 2015 to January 2016. We used the multistage cluster random sampling technique to select and invite students to complete a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ).ResultsAmong 494 participants (78.8% response rate), the prevalence of self-reported depression was 15.2% (95%CI:12.0%-19.0%), and suicidal ideation was 7.7% (95%CI:6.2%-9.5%). Self-reported depression was significantly associated with perceived financial burden, physical inactivity, being senior student, perceived negative influence of night shifts, and non-self-determined motivation profile. Suicidal ideation was significantly associated with perceived financial burden and non-self-determined motivation profile. In the multivariable regression models, significant risk factors for self-reported depression were non-self-determined motivation (PR = 2.62, 95%CI:1.68–4.07), perceived financial burden (PR = 1.95, 95%CI:1.39–2.73), and vigorous level of physical activity (PR = 0.43, 95%CI:0.20–0.942). For suicidal ideation, non-self-determined motivation (PR = 2.33, 95%CI:1.13–4.80) and perceived financial burden (PR = 1.91, 95%CI:1.16–3.13) were significant risk factors.Strengths and limitationsThe strengths of our study included a representative sample, a good response rate, and using a good depression screening tool. However, the PHQ-9 only allowed us to screen for depression, and the translation of the AMS and IPAQ into Vietnamese could potentially decrease these tools’ validity.ConclusionThe prevalence of self-reported depression and suicidal ideation in medical students is notably higher compared to the general population in Vietnam. Non-self-determined motivation and financial burden were the prominent risk factors for both the depression and suicidal ideation in medical students.
Highlights
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues among medical students worldwide due to the high intensity of training[1]
The prevalence of self-reported depression and suicidal ideation in medical students is notably higher compared to the general population in Vietnam
This prevalence of depression was much higher compared to the general Vietnamese population, of which the proportion with depression symptoms is only 2.8% according to the Ministry of Health[7]
Summary
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues among medical students worldwide due to the high intensity of training[1]. The result showed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 43.2%, and suicidal ideation was 8.7%[5,6] This prevalence of depression was much higher compared to the general Vietnamese population, of which the proportion with depression symptoms is only 2.8% according to the Ministry of Health[7]. Smaller studies in Vietnamese medical students employed other questionnaires such as the Beck Depression Inventory—Short Form[10] and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21)[11]. These questionnaires had similar positive LR, ranging from 3 to 5, compared to the CES-D in the general population and medical settings[12,13,14]. The association between depression and motivation in Vietnamese medical students is not welldocumented
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