Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Peruvian Medical Students

Jorge L. Piscoya-Tenorio, Walter V. Heredia-Rioja, Noelia Morocho-Alburqueque, Sandra Zeña-Ñañez (), Palmer J. Hernández-Yépez, Cristian Díaz-Vélez, Virgilo E. Failoc-Rojas () and Mario J. Valladares-Garrido ()
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Jorge L. Piscoya-Tenorio: School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Lambayeque 14013, Peru
Walter V. Heredia-Rioja: School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Lambayeque 14013, Peru
Noelia Morocho-Alburqueque: Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Piura (SOCIEMUNP), Piura 20007, Peru
Sandra Zeña-Ñañez: School of Medicine, Universidad Continental, Lima 15046, Peru
Palmer J. Hernández-Yépez: South American Center for Education and Research in Public Health, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru
Cristian Díaz-Vélez: School of Medicine, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo 13008, Peru
Virgilo E. Failoc-Rojas: Unidad de Investigación para Generación y Síntesis de Evidencia en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 15024, Peru
Mario J. Valladares-Garrido: South American Center for Education and Research in Public Health, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-9

Abstract: During medical training, students are exposed to stressors that deteriorate mental health. This study determined depression and anxiety prevalence and their associated factors in students from four medical schools in northern Peru. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students from Lambayeque, Peru. The Goldberg Anxiety and Zung Depression tests were applied. The dependent variables were depression and anxiety, and their association with covariates (age, sex, type of university, socioeconomic level, experience, family problem, and physical activity) was evaluated. Prevalence ratios were calculated using generalized linear models. Of 482 students, the prevalence of anxiety was 61.8% and depression was 22.0%. A severe level of anxiety was observed in 6.2% in the group between 16 and 20 years old. It was observed that private university students had higher frequencies of having depression (PR = 2.01) and anxiety (PR = 1.35); males had a lower risk of anxiety (PR = 0.82), but higher risk of depression compared to females (PR = 1.45). Performing physical activity decreased the prevalence of depression (PR = 0.53); however, it increased the frequency of anxiety (PR = 1.26). Having family problems increased the prevalence of anxiety (PR = 1.26). Medical students from private universities experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety were associated with gender and physical activity. These findings highlight the importance of mental health promotion due to its link with quality of life and academic performance.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; mental health; medicine students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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