Prevalence of mental health problems related to socio-demographic factors in first year medical students

Abstract

College admission exposes students to challenges that can affect their mental health and academic performance. Academic challenges are frequently combined with family distancing due to migration from their places of origin, job hunting and economic problems. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in order to determine the frequency of mental health problems and the existing associations with socio-demographic variables in first-year medical students at FCM-UNC.

In June 2023, students voluntarily accepted to answer a self-administered, anonymous online questionnaire. It included a self-made survey aimed at knowing the living conditions and academic performance of students; and the DASS-21 instrument which assesses the presence and intensity of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. Sampling was non-probabilistic for convenience. Using InfoStat, incomplete or inconsistent responses were removed, obtaining n=189.

The sample consisted of 69.8% women and 30.2% men, with an average age of 19.5. Female students had significantly higher anxiety and stress scores (p≤0.05) than male students. Students who are not up to date with their career (variable obtained from the year of admission and year of completion), showed significantly higher scores (p≤0.05) of anxiety and stress. Unlike what was found in previous years, there was no significant influence of age on the questionnaire scores. Students enrolled in social programs showed a significantly higher total score (sum of the three conditions evaluated) (p≤0.05); likewise, those who pay for their studies with their own work, showed a significantly higher level of depression, anxiety, and stress (p≤0.05). Students who did not work or neither seek to do so showed lower scores (p≤0.05) for the three conditions than those who were seeking employment or already had one.

A link was found between mental health problems and certain socio-demographic factors for instance being a female, not having a career up to date, and financing through social programs or personal employment. Understanding the factors related to mental health problems in students are essential to address this problem.