Abstract

Context: Medical studies are demanding and require regular hard work to cope up with the competition and complexity. It may lead to depression and anxiety disorders. The stress-tolerance level among the new generation of medical students seemed to be low. Aims: To assess the stress tolerant levels and to know the prevalence of depression and anxiety Settings and Design: A cross sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out among the undergraduate medical 1st and 2nd years students of Malla Reddy Institute of medical Sciences, Hyderabad. Methods: About 175 students participated voluntarily out of 300 students from first and second year MBBS during the period “June 2018 to Sep 2018”. The depression levels were assessed using Zung depression scale. Students were asked to complete the questionnaire and then the depression levels calculated in reference to Zung depression scale .The stress inducing factors during their course of medical education were also assessed Statistical Analysis: The data was analyzed using proportions Results: The overall prevalence of Depression, Anxiety & Stress (DAS) among the students was 25.14%, 24.57% 41.71% respectively without much difference among boys and girls i.e. 43.42%, 50.42% respectively. The prevalence of DAS in first year are 18.82%, 27.05%, 44.70% respectively and among second year students are 31.11%, 22.22%, 38.88% respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression anxiety and stress seemed to be more prevalent among second years compared to that of first year students.

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