Depression, Anxiety, Stress among Postgraduate Medical Residents: A Cross Sectional Observation in Bangladesh

Objective: Medical training has been reported as being stressful, and postgraduate medical training environment has always been regarded as highly stressful, which may lead to different psychiatric disorders. In this study, it was aimed to determine the extent of depression, anxiety, and stress among the postgraduate medical residents of Bangladesh. Method : This cross sectional study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected from 200 residents through face to face interview which was conducted by a psychiatrist using research instruments. Initially, respondents were approached by cluster sampling. Then, they were selected from each cluster using simple random sampling method (lottery method). Sample size was calculated by considering the prevalence of 50%; however, 200 residents were interviewed due to time constraints. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts: (1) demographic variable, (2) the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis-I disorders, and (3) Bangla Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using software Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.0. Results: Distribution of depression, anxiety, and stress revealed that 11.5% of the residents had depressive disorders, 11% anxiety disorders, and 10.5% stress disorders. Also, it was found that 14.5% of the respondents were found to have at least one of three disorders. The DASS-21 score revealed that 6% of the residents had severe to extremely severe depression, 3.5% severe to extremely severe anxiety, and 6.5% severe to extremely severe stress disorder. Conclusion: The study revealed that one in every seven residents has been suffering from at least one disorder from depression, anxiety, and stress related disorders. A large-scale multicenter study is recommended to validate the findings of the present study.