The prevalence of depression and associated risk factors among medical students: An untold story in Vietnam

Tung Pham; Linh Bui; Anh Nguyen; Binh Nguyen; Phung Tran; Phuong Vu; Linh Dang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221432

The prevalence of depression and associated risk factors among medical students: An untold story in Vietnam

PLoS One. 2019 Aug 20;14(8):e0221432. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221432. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Tung Pham^{1

2

3}, Linh Bui^{1

2}, Anh Nguyen^{2

4}, Binh Nguyen^{2

5}, Phung Tran^{2

5}, Phuong Vu^{2

4}, Linh Dang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Center for Population Health and Sciences, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam.
² Friendship and Science for Health Research group, Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam.
³ Department of Physiology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁵ Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁶ Laboratory Center, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Abstract

Background: Depression is a common mental health problem in medical students worldwide. The association between depression and motivation in Vietnamese medical students is not well-documented.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported depression and to identify associated risk factors among medical students at Hanoi Medical University (HMU).

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students with clinical experience at HMU from November 2015 to January 2016. We used the multistage cluster random sampling technique to select and invite students to complete a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ).

Results: Among 494 participants (78.8% response rate), the prevalence of self-reported depression was 15.2% (95%CI:12.0%-19.0%), and suicidal ideation was 7.7% (95%CI:6.2%-9.5%). Self-reported depression was significantly associated with perceived financial burden, physical inactivity, being senior student, perceived negative influence of night shifts, and non-self-determined motivation profile. Suicidal ideation was significantly associated with perceived financial burden and non-self-determined motivation profile. In the multivariable regression models, significant risk factors for self-reported depression were non-self-determined motivation (PR = 2.62, 95%CI:1.68-4.07), perceived financial burden (PR = 1.95, 95%CI:1.39-2.73), and vigorous level of physical activity (PR = 0.43, 95%CI:0.20-0.942). For suicidal ideation, non-self-determined motivation (PR = 2.33, 95%CI:1.13-4.80) and perceived financial burden (PR = 1.91, 95%CI:1.16-3.13) were significant risk factors.

Strengths and limitations: The strengths of our study included a representative sample, a good response rate, and using a good depression screening tool. However, the PHQ-9 only allowed us to screen for depression, and the translation of the AMS and IPAQ into Vietnamese could potentially decrease these tools' validity.

Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported depression and suicidal ideation in medical students is notably higher compared to the general population in Vietnam. Non-self-determined motivation and financial burden were the prominent risk factors for both the depression and suicidal ideation in medical students.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Depression / epidemiology*
Depression / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Students, Medical / psychology*
Suicidal Ideation
Vietnam / epidemiology
Young Adult

Grants and funding

The present study was supported by the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Micro-grant program, granted to LB and TP. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.