Abstract: Depression, according to World Health Organization is “a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration”. It may be chronic or recur even if it treated. It affects individual life, eventually if untreated may end with suicide (1). Medical education and training can contribute to the development of depressive symptoms that might lead to possible academic and professional consequences (4).
Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Saudi medical and non-medical students in King Faisal University (KFU).
Specific Objectives:
1. To describe the clinical manifestations of the depression in medical and non medical students.
2. To identify the most risk factors commonly associated with depressive symptoms.
Method: A cross sectional study was done using BDI questionnaire which is distributed to the students from college of medicine and college of engineering in King Faisal University during February-March 2016 . A total number of 403 students participated in the study.
Result: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among participants was 53.9%, it was higher within college of engineering 56.8% compared to the prevalence of medical college students which was 50.8%, although this difference was not significant. Significant association was found between severe depressive symptoms and part time workers ( P value 0.001 ) .
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that both medical and non-medical students have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms. Our findings are consistent with the findings from other studies conducted locally and in other parts of the world using different screening measures for depression; therefore, early screening of the psychiatric morbidity and preventive programs should begin early in their university study..
Keywords: King Faisal University (KFU), World Health Organization, Medical and Non-Medical Male Students.
Title: Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms among Medical and Non-Medical Male Students in King Faisal University Al-Ahsaa
Author: Abdullah Abdulaziz Almulhim
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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