Common mental disorders and associated factors among final-year healthcare students / Transtornos mentais comuns e fatores associados entre estudantes de saúde do último ano

Objective: to assess the prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) and to identify potential associated factors among medical, dental and nursing students. Methods: a cross-sectional study conducted in a public university in Northeast Brazil with 172 undergraduate students of the last three semesters of the medicine, dentistry and nursing courses, in February 2010, using the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and a structured questionnaire developed by the authors. Logistic regression was performed for data analysis. Results: the prevalence of CMD was 33.7%. The courses presented no differences in CMD prevalence. The logistic regression analysis showed a strong association of the following variables with CMD: female (OR=4.34), lack of good expectations regarding the future (OR=5.83), course as not a source of pleasure (OR=7.52) and feeling emotionally tense (OR=11.23). Conclusion: the high prevalence suggests that immediate preventive measures should be implemented, such as the setting up of psycho-pedagogic support services for students, and teacher development programs. .

Objetivo: determinar a prevalência de transtorno mental comum (TMC) e identificar potenciais fatores associados entre estudantes de medicina, odontologia e enfermagem. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado em uma universidade pública no Nordeste do Brasil com 172 alunos de graduação dos últimos três semestres de Medicina, Odontologia e Enfermagem, em fevereiro de 2010, utilizando o Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) e um questionário estruturado desenvolvido pelos autores. A análise dos dados foi realizada por regressão logística. Resultados: a prevalência de TMC foi de 33,7%. Os cursos não apresentaram diferenças na prevalência de TMC. A regressão logística mostrou uma forte associação entre as seguintes variáveis com TMC: sexo feminino (OR=4,34), não ter boas expectativas em relação ao futuro (OR=5,83), curso não ser uma fonte de prazer (OR=7,52) e sentir-se emocionalmente tenso (OR=11,23). Conclusão: a alta prevalência de TMC sugere que medidas preventivas imediatas devam ser implementadas, como: a criação de serviços de apoio psicopedagógico para alunos e programas de desenvolvimento docente. .

Sintomas depressivos entre internos de medicina em uma universidade pública brasileira / Depressive symptoms among medical intern students in a Brazilian public university

OBJETIVO: Estimar entre internos de medicina a prevalência de sintomas depressivos e sua intensidade, além dos fatores associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, em maio de 2008, com amostra representativa dos internos de medicina (n = 84) da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS). Foram utilizados o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (IDB) e um questionário estruturado contendo informações sobre variáveis sociodemográficas, processo ensino-aprendizagem e aspectos pessoais. A análise exploratória dos dados foi realizada através de Estatística Descritiva e Inferencial. Finalmente foi realizada a análise de múltiplas variáveis através de regressão logística e cálculo das OR simples e ajustadas com seus respectivos intervalos de 95 por cento de confiança. RESULTADOS: A prevalência geral foi de 40,5 por cento, dos quais: 1,2 por cento (IC 95 por cento 0,0-6,5) foram de sintomas depressivos graves; 4,8 por cento (IC 95 por cento 1,3-11,7) de moderados; e 34,5 por cento de leves (IC 95 por cento 24,5-45,7). A regressão logística revelou as variáveis de maior impacto associadas ao aparecimento de sintomas depressivos: pensamento de abandonar o curso (OR 6,24; p = 0,002); tensão emocional (OR 7,43; p = 0,0004); e desempenho acadêmico regular (OR 4,74; p = 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: A elevada prevalência de sintomas depressivos na população estudada esteve associada com variáveis relacionadas ao processo ensino-aprendizagem e aspectos pessoais, sugerindo a necessidade de medidas preventivas imediatas referentes à formação médica e à assistência ao estudante.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate, among Medical School intern students, the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their severity, as well as associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in May 2008, with a representative sample of medical intern students (n = 84) from Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS). Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a structured questionnaire containing informationon sociodemographic variables, teaching-learning process, and personal aspects were used. The exploratory data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Finally, the analysis of multiple variables by logistic regression and the calculation of simple and adjusted OR swith their respective 95 percent confidence intervals were performed. RESULTS: The general prevalence was 40.5 percent, with 1.2 percent (95 percent CI: 0.0-6.5) of severe depressive symptoms; 4.8 percent (95 percent CI: 1.3-11.7) of moderate depressive symptoms; and 34.5 percent (95 percent CI: 24.5-45.7) of mild depressive symptoms. The logistic regression revealed the variables with a major impact associated with the emergence of depressive symptoms: thoughts of dropping out (OR 6.24; p = 0.002); emotional stress (OR 7.43;p = 0.0004); and average academic performance (OR 4.74; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of depressive symptoms in the study population was associated with variables related to the teaching-learning process and personal aspects, suggesting immediate preemptive measures regarding Medical School graduation and student care are required.

Burnout Syndrome and associated factors among medical students: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and levels of burnout syndrome among medical students at the Universidade Federal de Sergipe-Brazil and to identify associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with randomly selected students in 2009. The Maslach Burnout Inventory/Student Survey (MBI-SS) and a structured questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, the educational process, and individual aspects were used. Statistical evaluation of multiple variables was performed through backward stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of burnout was 10.3% (n = 369). The prevalence was higher among those who did not have confidence in their clinical skills (Odds Ratio-OR = 6.47), those who felt uncomfortable with course activities (OR = 5.76), and those who did not see the coursework as a source of pleasure (OR = 4.68). CONCLUSION: There was a significant prevalence of burnout among the medical students studied. Three variables, in particular, were associated with burnout and were directly related to the medical education process. Preventive and intervention measures must be adopted, and longitudinal studies should be conducted.