Publication: Anxiety and Depression during COVID-19 Pandemic among Medical Students in Nepal
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Medical students’ psychological response to societal lockdown during the COVID-19
pandemic has not been studied much.
Objective
To assess levels of anxiety and depression among medical students during initial
stages of COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal and relate their distress to relevant variables.
Method
A cross-sectional study with online questionnaire was conducted among medical
students at different colleges in Nepal. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HADS) detected ‘anxiety’ and ‘depression’. The covariates were explored by logistic
regression analyses.
Result
A total 416 medical students [mean age: 22.2 (2.1); males 57.7%, females 42.3%]
participated. HADS-anxiety scores [mean: 7.1(4.3)] were significantly and positively
correlated with HADS-depression [mean: 5.9 (4.1)] (r=0.695; p < 0.001). Point
prevalence of total HADS caseness (HADS-T) was 26.7%. Specific HADS-defined
caseness were: anxiety (HADS-A) 11.8%, depression (HADS-D) 5.5%, and comorbid
anxiety and depression (HADS-cAD) 9.4%. All four types of caseness were significantly
more prevalent among students with a history of mental problems (AOR=4.7, 3.2, 2.6,
and 3.2 respectively). HADS-T was higher among those with a concurrent physical
illness (AOR=2.4). HADS-T, HADS-A and HADS-D scores were higher among the age
group > 22 years (AOR= 2.2, 2.5 and 4.4 respectively). HADS-cAD was almost three-
times higher among those with a possible COVID-19 exposure (AOR=2.8).
Conclusion
A significant number of medical students in Nepal suffered from high levels of anxiety
and depression during the COVID-19 shut-down. The students in the higher (> 22
years) age group, those with past mental disorders, possible COVID-19 exposure, and
concurrent physical illness showed elevated levels of anxiety and/or depression.
KEY WORDS
COVID-19, Medical students, Pandemic, Psychological distress, Self-quarantine
Description
Risal A,1 Shikhrakar S,1 Mishra S,1 Kunwar D,1 Karki E,1 Shrestha B,1 Khadka S,1 Holen A2
1Department of Psychiatry
Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences,
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
2Department of Mental Health,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology,
Trondheim, Norway
Keywords
COVID-19, Medical students, Pandemic, Psychological distress, Self-quarantine