PREVALENCE OF STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS: A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

Pham Tuong Van1
1 Hanoi Medical University

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Depression constitutes a significant public-health burden worldwide, particularly among university students.
Objective: This study aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among medical and pharmaceutical students in Vietnam and to identify associated factors through a literature review.
Methods: A total of 11 studies published up to July 2022 were retrieved from Google Scholar. The reviewed studies employed validated instruments, including the PHQ-9, DASS-21, and CES-D scales, to assess stress, anxiety, and depression either independently or in combination. The internal consistency and reliability of these instruments were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients.
Results: The findings demonstrated wide variability in prevalence estimates, largely attributable to differences in measurement scales and study designs.
Conclusion: The use of at least two standardized measurement instruments is recommended to enhance diagnostic accuracy and facilitate comparison across studies.

Article Details

References

Nguyen Minh Tri, Nguyen Tan Dat (2017) Depression and some related
factors in students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy in
Journal of Preventive Medicine 27(3).
(2010) World Health Organization. The ICD-10 Classification of Mental
and Behavioral Disorders: Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines.
(2021) World Health Organization. Depression.
Le Hong Hoai Linh, Bui Hong Cam, Truong Trong Hoang, et al. (2021) De-
pression of medical students: medical students’ perspectives through a
qualitative study. Journal of Medical Research 143(7): 2009.
Bui Mai Thi, Le Dai Minh, Nguyen Tien Dat, Dang Thi Diem Quynh, et al.
(2020) Signs of depression, suicidal ideation among students at Hanoi
Medical University and related factors school year 2018-2019. Journal of
Medical Research 128(4): 162-173.
Nguyen Thi Huyen Anh, Nguyen Phuc Binh, Bui Phuong Linh, et al. (2015)
Assessing the current state of depression among students of grades Y4,
Y5, Y6 of the general practitioner system at Hanoi Medical University and
some related factors. Medical Research Journal.
Tran TD, Tran T, Fisher J (2013) Validation of the depression anxiety
stress scales (DASS) 21 as a screening instrument for depression and
anxiety in a rural community-based cohort of northern Vietnamese women.
BMC Psychiatry 13(2): 24.
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB (2001) The PHQ-9: validity of a brief
depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med 16(9): 606-613.
Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, Nguyen Thanh Truc, Le Kim Phung (2020) Cur-
rent status of stress, anxiety, and depression of final-year university stu-
dents majoring in Pharmacy. Journal of Social Sciences Humanities and
Education 10(2): 32-37.
Phan Thanh Truc Uyen, Hoang Bich Thuy, Ton Nu Thuy Anh, et al. (2016)
Assessing the level of stress, anxiety, and depression of full-time students
of the Faculty of Pharmacy - University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi
Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City Medical Journal. Scientific and technical con-
ference. Faculty of Pharmacy Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and
Pharmacy 20(2): 217-225.
Nguyen Thanh Huong, Le Vu Anh, Michael Dunne (2007) Validity and reli-
ability of two depression and anxiety scales used in community research
with adolescents. Journal of Public Health 7(7): 25-31.
Nguyen Thi Huong, Nguyen Huu Hieu, Tran Thi Thanh Huong (2014) Cur-
rent state of health behavior and risk of depression of 2nd year students
at the University of Commerce. Journal of Practical Medicine 914(4):
Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, Nguyen Thi Thu Thao, Nguyen Thi Mo, et al. (2016)
Depression and some related factors in general students at Hai Phong Uni-
versity of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2016. 14(187).
Phung Quoc Diep, Chu Van Thang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Hanh, et al. (2021)
“The reality of depression, anxiety, and stress in full-time nursing college
students at Bach Mai Medical College and some Related factors in 2021”.
Journal of Community Medicine 62(7).
Nguyen Thi Huyen Anh, Nguyen Phuc Binh, Bui Phuong Linh, et al. (2015)
Assessing the status of depression in Y6 general practitioner students at
Hanoi Medical University in the 2014-2015 school year using a set of ques-
tions PHQ-9 and some related factors. Journal of Medical Research,
p. 1-8.
Tran Thi Hien, Nguyen Viet Quang, Le Hoai Thu, et al. (2021) Current sta-
tus of depression in final-year students of majors at Thai Nguyen Universi-
ty of Medicine and Pharmacy and some related factors. Journal of Preven-
tive Medicine 31(9): 81-87.
Nguyen Bich Ngoc, Nguyen Van Tuan (2021) Stress situation of nursing
students at Hai Phong Medical College in 2020. Medical Research Journal
143(7): 160.
Nguyen Duc Luong (2021) Current status of depressive disorders in 5th
and 6th year general medical students at the University of Medicine and
Pharmacy in the 2020-2021 school year. Medical graduation thesis.
Hanoi National University.