Depression and associated factors among medical students: A cross-sectional study in Kayseri, Turkey

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the prevalence of depression and affecting factors in medical students in Erciyes University.

METHODS: Study was conducted in July 2006-June 2007. Out of 960 medical students 924 (96.3%) participated the study. Data was collected by using a structured self-administered questionnaire, Back Depression Inventory (BDI), and Back Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Data was analysed by destrictive statistics, and chi- square tests.

RESULTS: Of the 924 medical students, 532 (57.6%) were male, 909 (98.4%) were single. The mean age of the students was 22.0±2.6 (17-36). The overall prevalence of depression among medical students was 19.5%. Prevalence of depression from first to final year medical students were 13.4%, 19.4%, 20.9%, 30.3%, 14.4%, and 19.5% respectively. The prevalence was high in the fourth year students. Depression prevalence was higher in the students who have a chronic disease or have a negative personal life event experience in the previous 12 months. The average points of anxiety were 12.0±9.4,  11.9±9.6,  12.3±10.7,  13.1±9.1,  9.6±9.5,  12.0±9.8  respectively. Medical educators need to be aware of vulnerability of medical students to depression and anxiety.