Publication:

Prevalence and risk factors of depression among medical students: a cross sectional study from Central India

Background Depression is a significant mental health concern among medical students, often attributed to academic pressure, lifestyle changes, and lack of coping strategies. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression and identify associated risk factors among medical students in Central India.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 medical students from a tertiary care hospital in Central India. Participants were assessed using the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a validated tool for screening depression. Data on sociodemographic and related variables were collected through a structured questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors.

Results The prevalence of depression was found to be 67%, with 43% of students experiencing mild symptoms. Key risk factors included years lost in academics, lack of parental support, lack of economic support and interpersonal conflicts.

Conclusions Depression is highly prevalent among medical students in Central India, with significant associations to gender, academic stress, and lifestyle factors. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions, including stress management workshops, peer support programs, and routine mental health screenings in medical institutions.