Prevalence and Correlates of Likely Major Depressive Disorder among Medical Students in Alberta, Canada

Sumeet Dhanoa, Folajinmi Oluwasina, Reham Shalaby, Esther Kim, Belinda Agyapong, Marianne Hrabok, Ejemai Eboreime, Maryana Kravtsenyuk, Alicia Yang, Izu Nwachukwu, Chantal Moreau, Adam Abba-Aji, Daniel Li and Vincent I. O. Agyapong ()
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Sumeet Dhanoa: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Folajinmi Oluwasina: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Reham Shalaby: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Esther Kim: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Belinda Agyapong: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Marianne Hrabok: Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Island, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Ejemai Eboreime: Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
Maryana Kravtsenyuk: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Alicia Yang: Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4, Canada
Izu Nwachukwu: Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Chantal Moreau: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Adam Abba-Aji: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Daniel Li: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Vincent I. O. Agyapong: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Medical students are exposed to multiple factors during their academic and clinical studies that contribute to depression. Aims: This study aims to examine the prevalence and correlates of likely major depressive disorder (MDD) among medical students. Methods: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey, which included questions on sociodemographic characteristics and likely MDD using the PHQ-9. Data were analyzed using a descriptive, Chi-square test and logistic regression model. Results: There were 246 medical students who participated in the survey. The majority were females, 155 (65.1%); Caucasian, 158 (66.4%); and in a relationship, 168 (70.5%). The prevalence of likely MDD was 29.1%. Respondents who did not feel supported and respondents who were neutral about their social support, friends, and family, were 11 and 4 times more likely to experience MDD than those who felt well supported (OR = 11.14; 95% CI: 1.14–108.80) and (OR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.10–19.56), respectively. Conclusions: This study suggests a high prevalence of likely MDD among medical students who do not feel they have sufficient social support from friends and family. Social adjustments, including talking to friends and family and participating in leisure activities, could reduce the level of depression among medical students.

Keywords: major depressive disorder; social support; prevalence; medical students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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