Prevalence of symptoms of depression among the dental undergraduates, Karachi, Pakistan

Aim: The purpose of this research is to measure the prevalence of the symptoms of depression in undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in September and October 2017 among the dental graduates. A total of 154 students participated in the research. The participants were surveyed through a self-administered questionnaire that included the validated center for epidemiological studies-depression scale as the assessment tool and questions about demographic characteristics. Results: The prevalence of depression was 60.4% in dental graduates. The prevalence of depression was higher in female (62.4%) dental undergraduates than males (57.4%). Overall, First-year students had a higher prevalence of depression than other class years. Conclusion: The high prevalence of depression among dental students highlights the significance of providing support and assistance programs along with the implementation of preventive measures. These measures will help particularly those who have a higher degree of susceptible elevated levels of these psychological conditions. Clinical Significance: The prevalence of depression was higher in dental students with higher prevalence in female particularly the first-year students. Year of study and gender were the risk factors for depression in students. Counseling sessions of depression for susceptible students should conduct yearly basis to manage the symptoms promptly.