Philippine E-Journals

Prevalence of depression among medical students in a private medical school: A cross-sectional study

Paulina Nicole G. Vitocruz | Ann Pauline G. Vivar | Georgene Danielle R. Whang | Namfon M. Wonglue | Ynh-Chun Wu | Larimel Jean P. Yadao | Ann Melody Y. Yao | Jacob C. Ybanez | Adrian B. Yu | Jose Luisito A. Zulueta | Jose Ronilo G. Juangco | Maria Paz S. Garcia

 

Abstract:

Introduction Medical students are susceptible to depression due to the constant exposure to stressful situations and almost 30% of medical students suffer from depression. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among first- to third-year medical students in a private medical institution. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed on first- to third-year medical students selected through simple random sampling. They were asked to answer the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for the assessment of depression. Results The prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 19.1%. Almost 15% of the first-year medical students, 23.7% of the second-year medical students and 18.3% of the third-year students were found to have a risk of having depression. Twenty-one percent of the male students and 18.4% of the females were classified to have depression. Conclusion Almost one-fifth of the first- to third-year medical students in the private medical institution have depression. The highest prevalence of having depression was among second-year medical students, males, 20 to 22 years old.