DEPRESSION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background : Medical education is a stressful professional course . Periodic assessment of students is imperative to identify psychological problems like depression which adversely affect the physical, social and mental well being of the students . Methods :It was a cross sectional study conducted among undergraduate students of a medical college in Gaya, Bihar. Sociodemographic details were collected using a proforma . Beck's depression inventory ( BDI) was used to assess depression and its severity. Statistical analysis was done and results tabulated. Results: 57 % students were found to be suffering from depression maximum of which were of mild degree(45%) . Maximum students of nal year were found to be depressed (60%) followed closely by rst year students ( 56%). Conclusion : Medical students are vulnerable to psychological problems like depression. Early identication can help can help them cope with life situations better