Study of Depression among students of faculties of medicine in Nangarhar Province

Abstract

Background: Depression is a mental disorder characterized by anhedonia (loss of
interest/pleasure), anergy (decreased energy), feelings of guilt or low self-worth,
disturbed sleep/appetite, and poor concentration. This study aimed to determine the
prevalence of depression among medical students in Nangarhar faculties of
medicine.
Methods and Meterials: A cross-sectional study was conducted across all four Medical
universities in Nangarhar from November to December 2023. We assessed depression and
its associated factors using the 9-Item-Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and a
structured questionnaire. A sample of 341 medical students was included, calculated from
a total population of 3500 with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error.
Result: Participants' ages ranged from 17 to 35, with a mean age of 23.5 (SD 2.975).
The age range most affected by depression was 17 to 24 years (69.8%).
The severity breakdown among the 341 participants was: minimal: 69
(20.2%),mild: 86 (25.2%),moderate: 79 (23.2%),noderately severe: 82 (24.0%),
severe: 25 (7.3%).
Students in the third academic year showed the highest frequency of depression
(106 cases, 31.1%), followed closely by the fourth year. However, fourth-year
students had the most cases of severe depression, while the third year had the most
moderately severe cases.
Conclusion: Depression was more prevalent among younger students, particularly those
aged 23, and in the higher academic years, specifically the third and fourth years. While
mild depression was the most common overall finding, moderately severe depression was
the second most frequent category.
Keywords: Depression, Cases, Factors, Medicine Faculties