Prevalence of anxiety and depression among Medical Students in MMCH, Sindh, Pakistan

Introduction: Medical education is stressful. High levels of stress have been seen in medical students in various studies. The academic stressors include the volume of material to be learned, academic performance and evaluation, examination and continuous assessment, mental tension and too much work load. All this can result in decreased life satisfaction among students.  Stress during medical school can lead to problems later in professional life compromising patient care. Objectives: To know the prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students of Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, Sindh, Pakistan  Methodology: A Cross-sectional study was done on the students of Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, Sindh, who had spent more than six months in the medical college. Self-administered questionnaire was given to the students, present in the class and willing to participate in the study. The instrument used to assess the anxiety and depression levels was the, Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS). Additional quotations regarding socioeconomic variables were also included in them survey instrument, such as student’s age order, family monthly income, and gender, marital status. Results: Using anxiety and depression scale it was found out that 318 (96.36%) students had anxiety and depression. Among them 215 (67.61%) were females and 103 (32.38%) males. Prevalence of anxiety and depression in students of Final, 4th year and 3rd year 2nd and 1st years was 13%, 15%, 20% and 21%, 28% respectively. It was significantly higher in 1st year and 2nd year students, as compared to final and 4th year and students. Conclusions: Most of medical students have anxiety and depression due to study burden and a busy schedule. It is also seen that anxiety and depression is more among female medical students, and more among in 1st year and 2nd year MBBS students, as compared to the final and forth year students.   Keywords: Anxiety, depression, Medical students, prevalence