The Prevalence of Depression Among

Medical Students in Greenheart Medical

University and Rajiv Gandhi University of
Science and Technology from Jan 1 2025 to
March 15 2025

Harini Rajagopal (Medical student)

Supervisor; Dr. Henry, MMED psychiatry Psychiatry Department.
Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology
O9th March,2024
Outline
► Overview

► Introduction

► Objectives

► Literature Review

► Methodology

► Results and Discussion

► Advantages and Limitations

► Recommendations

► Conclusion

► References
Overview
Title: Depression Among of Clinical Medical Students of the Greenheart
Medical University and Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology,
Guyana

Research Sites: Greenheart Medical University and Rajiv Gandhi

University of Science and Technology

Population of the study: Clinical medical students from the Greenheart

Medical University and the Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and
Technology.
Overview

Objectives: To assess Depression Among Medical Students in

Greenheart Medical University and Rajiv Gandhi University of Science

and Technology, Guyana.

Study design: Cross-sectional study

Duration: the study was conducted over a three (3) month period Jan

2025 to march 2024

Introduction

➔ Depressive disorder (also known as depression) is a common mental disorder.

It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for
long periods of time.
➔ Depression is different from regular mood changes and feelings about
everyday life. It can affect all aspects of life, including relationships with
family, friends and community. It can result from or lead to problems at
school and at work.
➔ Studies, related to anxiety and depression among students of such
professional courses, have been reported from abroad, but such data from
India is scarce. Medical school is recognized as a stressful environment that
often exerts a negative effect on the academic performance, physical health
and psychological well-being of the student.
➔ Among medical students, academic stressors include the volume
of material to be learned, academic performance and evaluation
(examination and continuous assessment).
➔ Academically less successful students reported somewhat higher
levels of depressive ideation and symptomatology.
➔ The potential negative effects of emotional distress on medical
students include impairment of functioning in classroom
performance and clinical practice, stress disorders and
deteriorating performance.
Objectives

► To Assess Depression Among Medical Students in

Greenheart Medical University and Rajiv Gandhi University

of Science and Technology, Guyana.

Literature Review
➔ A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in
Karachi, which has 14 of Sindh's 21 medical schools. Participants from
10 schools completed a self-administered questionnaire using the Quick
Inventory of Depression Symptoms (QID-SR16).
➔ Data analysis with SPSS v.21 confirmed significant findings. Out of
4,000 distributed questionnaires, 2,270 were returned, yielding a
56.75% response rate.
➔ The study revealed that approximately 10,000 medical students are
enrolled in MBBS programs. Depression prevalence varied by year: 1st
year 45.5%, 2nd year 50.1%, 3rd year 76.5%, 4th year 38.1%, and 5th
year 31.6%.
➔ Overall, 48.9% of students showed depressive symptoms, with
significant differences based on gender but not age.
➔ A study conducted at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS)
from May 2 to October 16, 2017, involved 302 voluntarily participating
medical students..

➔ Using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-42 (DASS-42), the

researchers assessed the students' mental health.

➔ The findings revealed that 86 students (28.47%) experienced depression,

with 31 (36.04%) having mild, 31 (36.04%) moderate, 12 (13.95%)
severe, and 12 (13.95%) extremely severe depression. Among those
affected, 55 (63.95%) were male and 31 (36.04%) were female .
➔ A 2008 cross-sectional study at Nishtar Medical College in Multan
assessed anxiety and depression in 815 medical students.
➔ After excluding those with physical illnesses, 482 participants completed
the Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale, yielding a
59.14% response rate.
➔ The mean age was 20.66 years, with 43.89% experiencing anxiety and
depression. Prevalence differed by academic year: 45.86% in first-years,
52.58% in second-years, 47.14% in third-years, 28.75% in fourth-years,
and 45.10% in final-years.
➔ Female students had a higher depression rate than males (odds ratio =
2.05, p = 0.0001). A significant association was found between the
prevalence of anxiety and depression and academic year (p = 0.0276),
while age, marital status, locality, and family income did not
significantly influence rates.
➔ In a study involving 120 male postgraduate medical students, it was
determined that 44 individuals were experiencing depression, while the
remaining 76 students were categorized as normal since they did not
exhibit signs of depression.
➔ This indicates a prevalence rate of 37% for students suffering from
depression, compared to 63% who were deemed normal.
➔ When examining the degree of depression among the subjects, the
findings revealed that 19 students were identified with mild depression,
resulting in a prevalence of 16%.
➔ In addition, 17 students were classified as moderately depressed,
contributing to a prevalence of 14%. The analysis also indicated that 8
students were experiencing severe depression, which accounts for a
prevalence of 7%.
➔ Notably, there were no cases of very severe depression found among the
male postgraduate medical students at Gauhati Medical College .
Methodology
➔ A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based research design was used to
carry out the study among clinical medical students of GMU and
RGUST.
➔ Permission to conduct the survey was sought from both universities
and obtained
➔ An online questionnaire along with the consent form was sent through
the universities’ platform to the expected participants from the two
universities.
➔ The responses were then recorded and reviewed.
➔ The Quick Inventory of Depression Symptoms (QID-SR16) scale was
used to assess students for depression. The QID-SR16 scale is known for
its high sensitivity and specificity, making it a reliable instrument for
individuals from multiple racial backgrounds.
➔ While the scale can differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe
depression, it was primarily used in this instance to determine the presence
or absence of depression.
➔ According to the scoring criteria, a score above 6 points is
indicative of depression.
● 1-5 = No depression
● 6-10 = Mild depression
● 11-15 = Moderate depression
● 16-20 = Severe depression
● 21-27 = Very severe depression
Results and Discussion
► Age group

Age Group Number of

participants
16-19 0

20-25 9

26-30 5

Over 30 3

Table 1: Number of participants and

their age groups

Figure 1: Number of participants and their age groups

Age Group
Results and Discussion
► Gender
Gender Number of
participants
Male 4

Female 13

Table 2: Number of participants and

their gender

Figure 2: Number of participants and their gender

Results and Discussion
► University
University Number of
participants

Rajiv Gandhi 14
University of
Science and
Technology
Greenheart 3
Medical University

Table 3: Number of participants and

their university attended

Figure 3: Number of participants and their university

attended
Results and Discussion
► Residence

Residence Number of

participants

Personal 3

Rented 2

Living alone 0

Living with family 9

Living with a 3

roommate

Other 0

Table 4: Number of participants and

their residence

Figure 4: Number of participants and their residence

Results and Discussion
► Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index Number of

(BMI) participants

<18.5 1

18.6-24.9 6

25-30 7

>30 3

Table 5: Number of participants and

their BMI

Figure 5: Number of participants and their BMI

Results and Discussion
► Practicing Healthy Dietary Habits

Response Number of

participants

Yes 8

No 9

Table 6: Number of participants

who practiced healthy dietary
habit

Figure 6: Number of participants who practiced healthy

dietary habit
Results and Discussion
► Eating a Balanced Diet Regularly

Response Number of

participants

Yes 9

No 8

Table 7: Number of participants

who ate a balanced diet regularly

Figure 7: Number of participants who ate a balanced

diet regularly
Results and Discussion
► Eating Meals Regularly

Response Number of

participants

Yes 10

No 7

Table 8: Number of participants

who ate meals regularly

Figure 8: Number of participants who ate meals

regularly
 Results and Discussion
► Frequency of Breakfast, Snacking between meals, Skipping/missing
meals and exercise
Frequency Number of Participants

Breakfast Snacking Skipping/ Exercise

between missing

meals meals

1-2 times 6 7 7 8

per week

3-4- times 6 6 4 2

per week

Daily 3 3 4 1

Never 2 1 2 6

Table 9: Number of participants and

their frequency of breakfast,
Figure 9: Number of participants and their frequency of
snacking between meals,
breakfast, snacking between meals, skipping/missing
skipping/missing meals and exercise
meals and exercise
Results and Discussion
► Snacks consumed between meals

Snacks consumed Number of

between meals Participants

Fruits 2

Packet snacks 9

Nuts 1

Aerated drinks 2

Cookies 1

Other 2

Table 10: Number of participants

and the snacks they consume

Figure 10: Number of participants and the snacks they

consume
Results and Discussion
► Reason for missing meals

Reason for missing Number of

meals participants

Lack of time 12

Financial reasons 3

Unavailability of 1

meals

Not feeling hungry 1

Other 0

Table 11: Number of participants

and their reason for missing
meals

Figure 11: Number of participants and their reason for

missing meals
Results and Discussion
► Mostly skipped/missed meal

Meal skipped/missed Number of

participants

Breakfast 12

Lunch 5

Dinner 0

Table 14: Number of participants

and their most skipped meals

Figure 14: Number of participants and their most skipped

meal
Results and Discussion
► Frequency of eating vegetables, fruits and fast food

Frequency Number of Participants

Vegetables Fruits Fast food

1-2 times 7 11 10

per week

3-4- times 7 4 5

per week

Daily 3 0 2

Never 0 2 0

Table 15: Number of

participants and their frequency
of eating vegetables, fruits and
fast food

Figure 15: Number of participants and their frequency of

eating vegetables, fruits and fast food
Results and Discussion
► Availability, convenience and cost efficiency of fast foods compared to
healthier options

Response Number of

participants

Yes 13

No 4

Table 16: Number of participants

and their opinion on whether fats
foods are more readily available,
convenient and cost efficient
than healthier options

Figure 16: Number of participants and their opinion on

whether fats foods are more readily available,
convenient and cost efficient than healthier options
Results and Discussion
► Availability, convenience and cost efficiency of fast foods contribute to
consuming more fast foods and less healthier options

Response Number of

participants

Yes 10

No 7

Table 17: Number of participants

and their opinion on whether
cost efficiency and availability
contribute to them consuming
more fast food

Figure 17: Number of participants and their opinion on

whether cost efficiency and availability contribute to
them consuming more fast food
Results and Discussion
► Mostly eaten food

Foods that are mostly eaten Number of participants

Mainly meats 3

Mainly fruits and vegetable 0

Mainly carbohydrates 12

A combination of fruits, 2

vegetables, carbohydrates

and meats in correct

proportion

Table 18: Number of participants

and the foods that they mostly eat

Figure 18: Number of participants and the foods that

they mostly eat
Results and Discussion
► Balanced diet

Foods that are mostly eaten Number of participants

Mainly meats 1

Mainly fruits and vegetable 0

Mainly carbohydrates 1

A combination of fruits, 15

vegetables, carbohydrates

and meats in correct

proportion
Figure 19: Number of participants and their opinion on a
Table 19: Number of participants balanced diet
and their opinion on a balanced
diet
Advantage and Limitations
Sample size
Time
Cost
Self reporting
Cross sectional design
Limited scope
External factors
Measurement errors
Confounding variables
Ethical considerations.
Response rate
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study aimed to explore and analyze depression among clinical
medical students at Greenheart Medical University and Rajiv Gandhi University of
Science and Technology in Guyana.
It was found in this study that there was a high prevalence of depression among
medical students who participated in this study. Our survey clearly indicates that
females are more affected than males, largely due to the intense pressure they
experience to challenge stereotypes in a male-dominated society and excel in their
performance.
Furthermore, women consistently exhibit higher levels of worry compared to men,
leading to a detrimental buildup of stress that significantly harms their mental health.
It is also important to highlight the alarmingly high rates of depression
observed among older medical students, which can be attributed to the
substantial stress associated with graduating early and navigating their
professional transition and the data clearly shows that most of students
maintain normal mental health;
However, 28% are grappling with mild depression. Moreover, 11% are facing
severe depression, and 4% are contending with very severe depression.
Understanding depression medical students holds significant importance for
their overall health, academic performance, and future professional practice.
References
► Alzahrani, S. H., Saeedi, A. A., Baamer, M. K., Shalabi, A. F., & Alzahrani, A. M. (2020)
'Eating habits among medical students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia', International Journal of General Medicine. Retrieved from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7062392

► Bede, F., Cumber, S. N., Nkfusai, C. N., Venyuy, M. A., Ijang, Y. P., Wepngong, E. N.,
&Nguti Kien, A. T. (2020) 'Dietary habits and nutritional status of medical school
students: The case of three state universities in Cameroon', The Pan African Medical
Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174006/
► Smithson, J. M. (2017) 'Review article on prevalence of malnutrition in medical
students'. Retrieved from:
https://www.jrmds.in/articles/review-article-on-prevalence-of-malnutrition-in-medica
l-students.pdf

► World Health Organization. (n.d.) 'Malnutrition', World Health Organization.

Retrieved from:
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/malnutrition

► Wright, M., Adair, L., James, C., Amuleru-Marshall, O., Peltzer, K., Pengpid, S., &
Samuels, T. (2015). The association of nutrition behaviors and physical activity with
general and central obesity in Caribbean undergraduate students.
RevistaPanamericana de Salud Pública, 38, 278-285 Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312230661_The_association_of_nutrition_
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