Prevalence of depression and associated factors among 5th november, 2018 year medical students in Kampala International University in Bushenyi, Uganda.
Loading...
Date
2018-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University. School of Health Sciences Western Campus
Abstract
The primary aim of medical training programmes is to produce knowledgeable, skillful, competent and professional graduates who will render comprehensive healthcare services within their communities. This is achieved through a variety of methods, including lectures, tutorials, experiential learning placements, apprenticeships and mentoring. Unfortunately, most medical programmes are overloaded with facts, and the students inevitably spend many hours a day trying to achieve the expected academic outcomes. Therefore, these programmes may have unintended negative consequences with respect to students’ personal mental and physical health. It has also been postulated that burnout in newly graduated doctors and older physicians has its origins in medical school. In addition to coping with stressors in daily life, medical students have to deal with stressors specific to their studies and their learning environment. These include problems relating to academic pressure, social and financial issues viz. career choices, information and input overload, financial issues, inter-personal issues at the institution or within the family and lack of leisure time. A high prevalence of stress has been recorded in medical students internationally andit occurs from the start of the students’ traininguntil their graduation. High levels of stress and burnout has resulted to medical students developing mental health issues among which is depression. However, the level of depression amongst medical students in East Africa, Uganda and Kampala International University medical school in particular is not well studied which prompted the researcher to assess the level of depression and associated factors amongst the medical students of the above mentioned medical school. Objectives: This study aims to determine the level of depression and associated factors among fifth year medical students of Kampala International University western campus Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional research approach was used at Jinja regional referral hospital found in Jinja district Uganda where the fifth year medical students were placed for their final clinical attachment during the time of the study. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires analyzed using charts, graphs and tables.
Results:Out of the 69 respondents, 54 (78.3%) were male and 15 (21.7%) were female, 62 (89.9%) were of the age group 21-25, 5 (7.2%) were 26-30 years, 2(2.9%) were between 31-35 years and none (0%) were above 35 years. 27(39.1%) were single, 39(56.5%) were dating and 3(4.3%) were married. 66(95.7%) were sponsored whereas 3(4.3%) were self sponsored for tuition. 16(23.2%) were depressed that is had borderline clinical depression to extreme depression implying that the prevalence of depression was at 23.2%. 32 (46.4%) were normal whereas 21 (30.4%) had mild mood disturbance, 6 (8.7%) had borderline clinical depression, 7(10.1%) had moderate depression, 3 (4.3%) had severe depression and none (0%) had extreme depression. And most of them that were affected was during their 3rd year of study 18 (48.6%). Conclusion:The results indicated that 23.2% of the students were depressed at one point of their medical school and most of them was during their 3rd year of study but however, the majority were normal (46.4%) and some with mild mood disturbances (30.4%) which is also considered normal and there was no relationship between depression and age, sex, relationship status and source of income for tuition.
Description
Research dissertation submitted to KIU in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery of Kampala International University
Keywords
Depression, Students, Bushenyi, Uganda.