EJMS

Abstract

Background: Depression is a prevailing health problem associated with important consequences. It has been estimated that it might be the second leading cause of disability by year 2020. The stressful life incidents of the students together with the beginning of depressive symptoms may be linked with the students’ personal, mental, scholastic, and socio-economic features. A matter which could affect their learning capability: concentration, efficiency, academic performance, interpersonal relations, and quality of life. Aims: To determine prevalence of depressive symptoms and to find-out associated factors among medical students in Tanta Faculty of Medicine. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the academic year 2011-2012 in Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt. 359 medical students were included in the study. Data was collected using pretested semi structured questionnaire including Beck Depression Inventory II Scale. Results: Prevalence of depressive symptoms according to Beck Depression Inventory II Scale among Tanta University Medical Students was 68.5%. Mild depressive symptoms were the most frequent grade among the studied group of students (24.5%), while very severe depressive symptoms represented only 2.5%. There were significant associations between depressive symptoms and presence of family troubles, family history of psychiatric disorders and history of chronic non-communicable diseases.