Prevalence and patterns of depression among clinical medical students in a major medical college in southeast Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Depression is a prevalent and serious mental health issue, particularly among young adults and medical students. Medical students, due to high academic and emotional stress, are particularly vulnerable to developing depression, which is often unnoticed in its early stages. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and patterns of depression among clinical medical students in a University in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 clinical medical students in their fourth to sixth years of study. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 30.8%, with 14.8% reporting moderate depression, 1.3% severe depression, and 0.4% extreme depression. The most frequently cited triggers for depression were academic workload (92.5%) and poor social amenities (60.4%). Conclusion: Depression is highly prevalent among medical students, particularly in clinical years, underscoring the need for early screening and mental health interventions.