Self-reported depression and anxiety by students at an Egyptian medical school

ABSTRACT

To explore the anxiety and depression experienced by medical students in Mansoura medical school and to identify its associated risk factors. Cross- sectional study. The study was conducted at Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt in 2009 and 2010. a self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographic characteristics and five instruments determining level of anxiety and depressive symptoms, perceived stress, physical wellbeing factors, and some personality traits were given to students who were selected by stratified cluster sampling. A total of 311 students were enrolled in the study. Prevalence of depression and anxiety were 28.3% and 21.2%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors of depression were sex, level of perceived stress, level of satisfaction with early relation with mother. On the hand, the independent predictors of anxiety were level of perceived stress, level of satisfaction with early relation with mother. On the hand, the independent predictors of anxiety were level of perceived stress, neuroticism and residence. The mean depression and anxiety scores were 8.1 +/- 3.3 and 9.9 +/- 3.1, respectively. Linear regression revealed that anxiety score, number stressors, chronic health problem score, and score of early relation with mother are independently correlated with depression score. Whereas, perceived stress, early relationship with mother and neuroticism scores were independently correlated with anxiety score