Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Medical Students at Makerere University, Uganda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Advances in Medical Education and Practice
Abstract
Depression affects about a third of medical students worldwide. There is
paucity of data on depression among medical students in Uganda. The purpose of this study
was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with depression among medical
students at Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS), Uganda.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students pursuing a Bachelor of
Medicine and Surgery at MakCHS in May and July 2019. Students were enrolled by
consecutive sampling, both online using Google Forms and in person for those unable to
access internet. The self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) was administered
to assess depression, defined as a PHQ9 score ≥10. Microsoft Excel 2016 and Stata 16 were
used for data analysis.
Results: Overall, 331 valid responses (mean age 23.1±3.3 years) were submitted (response
rate 93.8%). In a majority of participants, the prevalence of depression was 21.5% (n=71) of
which 64.1% had moderate depression (n=50). On bivariate analysis, year of study, worrying
about academic performance, and lectures were significantly associated with depression. On
multivariate analysis, worrying about academic performance (aOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.50–4.22;
P<0.001) and lectures (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.11–3.22; P=0.018) were significantly associated
with depression.
Conclusion: Depression affects a significant number of medical students at MakCHS.
About one in five medical students have depression. Year of study and academic performance
were significantly associated with depression. Efforts aimed at identification and evaluation
of students at risk, administering appropriate interventions, and follow-up of affected students
are vital. Analytical studies aimed at establishing the causative factors and the effects
of depression on medical students are recommended.
Description
Keywords
Depression, Medical students, Risk factors, PHQ9, Uganda
Citation
Olum, R., Nakwagala, F. N., & Odokonyero, R. (2020). Prevalence and factors associated with depression among medical students at Makerere University, Uganda. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 11, 853. http://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S278841