Prevalence and correlates of depression among male medical students and interns in Albaha University, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Depression in medical students and interns appear higher than the general population, with evidence of mental health deterioration over a period of medical training. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and evaluate the predictors of depression among male medical students and interns, Albaha University, Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted which includes a representative stratified random sample with the proportional allocation of male medical students and interns, College of Medicine, Albaha University (2017–2018). A questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics of the participants as well as a medical and family history of depression, medical or psychiatric illness, abuse or violence, and the major traumatic event was utilized. In addition, the validated reliable Arabic version of Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire was used to screen for depression. RESULTS: The study included 161 medical students and 21 interns. Their age ranged between 19 and 26 years with a mean of 22.03 ± 1.94 years. Majority of the participants (98.9%) were Saudis and singles (84.6%). The prevalence of depression, based on the BDI scale, was 53.8%; it was mild in 25.8% and severe or extreme in 4.4% of the participants. No factor was significantly associated with depression. However, severe or extreme depression was more reported among students/interns with a history of domestic abuse or violence and those who had a history of major trauma or psychiatric event, P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Depression is a common problem among male medical students and interns in AlBaha University, with no difference according to demographics, smoking history, family history of depression, history of chronic medical or psychiatric illness, history of domestic/violence abuse, and history of major trauma or psychiatric event.