Background: Depression is a mental disorder characterized by anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure), anergy (decreased energy), feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among medical students in the faculties of medicine in Nangarhar.

Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted across all four medical universities in Nangarhar from November to December 2023. Depression and its associated factors were assessed 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 3,500 students with a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error.

Results: Participants' ages ranged from 17 to 35 years, with a mean age of 23.5 years (SD = 2.975). The age group most affected by depression was 17–24 years (69.8%). Among the 341 participants, the severity of depression was categorized as follows: minimal depression in 69 students (20.2%), mild depression in 86 students (25.2%), moderate depression in 79 students (23.2%), moderately severe depression in 82 students (24.0%), and severe depression in 25 students (7.3%). Third-year students showed the highest frequency of depression (106 cases, 31.1%), followed by fourth-year students. However, fourth-year students had the highest number of severe depression cases, while third-year students had the highest number of moderately severe cases.

Conclusion: Depression was more prevalent among younger students, particularly those aged 23 years, and among students in higher academic years, especially third and fourth years. Although mild depression was the most common category overall, moderately severe depression was the second most frequent finding.

Keywords: Depression, Cases, Factors, Medical Faculties.