Suicidal Ideation and Its Associated Factors in Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study during COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at comparing the prevalence of suicidal ideation among Iranian medical, dental, and pharmacy students and determining the demographic and basic characteristics and mental and psychological issues associated with suicidal ideation in these students. METHODS: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the 2020-2021 academic year on medical, dental, and pharmacy students studying at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). The questionnaire consisted of six sections: Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), UCLA loneliness scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS), and a questionnaire that was designed to evaluate students' family history, current psychological status, and basic and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: In total, 419 students participated in our study, with 133 (31.7%) being medical students, 85 (20.3%) being pharmacy students, and 201 (48%) being dental students. In our study, the prevalence of suicidal ideation was 32%. Family history of psychological issues (OR = 2.186, P =0.012), current or past smoking (OR = 2.155, P = 0.01), parents not living together (OR = 2.512, P = 0.046), and satisfaction with the current field (OR = 0.51, P < 0.001) were all independently associated with the presence of suicidal ideation. Also, higher scores in BHS (OR = 1.167, P < 0.001), PSS (OR = 1.081, P = 0.001), and UCLA loneliness scale (OR = 1.057, P < 0.001) were independently associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of suicidal ideation among Iranian medical, dental, and pharmacy students is relatively high and has increased during recent years, which needs emergent action.