THE LEVELS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG UNDERGRADUATESTUDENTS AT FIRAT UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study is to measure and assess the depression and anxiety levels among the students at Fırat University Faculty of Medicine. Methods: This questionnaire study was performed on the students at Fırat University Faculty of Medicine between December 2014 and May 2015. It was carried out on a number of 299 undergraduate students under supervision. In this study, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used. In statistical analyses, chi-square and independent t tests were applied for categorical and continuous data, respectively, with p < 0.05 being considered as significant. Results: Among those who were enrolled in the study, 25.5% were at the 1 graders, 12.4% were at the 2graders, 16.4% were at the 3rd graders, 18.1% were at the 4th graders, 18.1% were at the 5th graders and 9.4% were at the 6th graders. 6th graders showed significantly lower mean scores for Beck depression inventory as compared to 1st and 5th graders (p=0.007 and p=0.015, respectively). 1st graders had significantly the highest mean score of Beck anxiety among others (p=0.016, p=0.001, p<0.001, p=0.031 and p<0.001 respectively). 81.6% of undergraduate students reported to have been studying at the faculty of medicine by voluntarily. This ratio was 85% for female, and 77.7% for male subjects with no significant difference between the groups (p=0.104). 54.4% of female and 41.7% of male subjects were living with their family (p=0.026). Among all the undergraduate students enrolled in this study, 11.4% failed the class at least once during their academic calendar. However, this ratio was significantly less among female subjects (6.2% vs. 17.3%, p=0.003). Conclusion: No significant difference was found between those with and without failure at class, those coming up voluntarily and involuntarily, and those living with and without their parents in terms of Beck A and D scores

Keywords

• Depression, medical students, anxiety