The Epidemiologic Study of Depression in Medical Students of Bandar Abbas University (1994-1995)

The purpose of present study was to find the percentage of depression frequency, its intensity and relationship with chronic and acute stress, history of neurological disorders, and several demographic indexes among medical students of Bandar Abbas University during 1994-95. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed among students based on random-classified sampling method. Of them, 271 questionnaires were returned and studied. In the present study, percentage of depression frequency and its intensity were investigated among 271 medical students using Beck Depression Inventory. The results showed that 44.1% of students had depression. The depression rate was scored low (26.3%), average (10.4%), and high (7.4%). The depression frequency was higher in the third and fifth year of university students. The depression rate had a positive significant correlation with marital status, chronic stress, acute diseases, previous infliction to depression, and other mental disorders. The factors such as disinterest in medicine and dissatisfaction with current situation had specific correlation with depression. However, there was no significant correlation between depression and factors such as age, sex, being native, chronic stress, and positive family history for depression.