Evaluation of the Prevalence and Factors Affecting the Mental Health of Undergraduate Medical Students in a Nigerian University: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Medical education is known to be demanding and stressful, often leading to mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression among students. Understanding the prevalence and factors contributing to these issues is crucial for effective intervention and support.

METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 medical students at the College of Health and Medical Sciences at Babcock University. Data was collected using a standardised questionnaire comprising sections on sociodemographic characteristics, depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), stress (PSQ), and health-seeking behaviour. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests applied. The value for p was <0.05, which is statistically significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression was 53.5% with 186(45.3%) having mild depression, more than half of the respondents had minimal anxiety, 202(50.5%), and a high level of stress, 214(53.5%), respectively. Factors affecting mental health included lack of institutional support 170 (42.5%), poor awareness of available services 125 (31.3%), and poor utilization of mental health services 310, (77.5%). Age was found to be statistically significant (x2=15.792, P=0.015) in terms of anxiety level. Additionally, significant associations were observed between stress and depression (x2=37.497, P<0.001), as well as between stress and anxiety (x2=44.286, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress are moderately high among the medical students, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and support mechanisms. Enhancing institutional support, integrating mental health education into the curriculum, and conducting regular screenings will go a long way in creating a supportive environment conducive to the mental well-being and academic success of its medical students.