Open AccessModerate and severe symptoms of anxiety and depression are increased among female medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Carlos Izaias Sartorão Filho,
Wilson Conte de Las Villas Rodrigues,
Ricardo Beauchamp de Castro,
Arlete Aparecida Marçal,
Shirlene Pavelqueires,
Luiz Takano,
Wilson Luis de Oliveira,
Carlos Izaias Sartorão Neto
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
research, society and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2525-3409
DOI - 10.33448/rsd-v10i6.15406
Subject(s) - anxiety , depression (economics) , covid-19 , pandemic , medicine , psychiatry , patient health questionnaire , cross sectional study , clinical psychology , depressive symptoms , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , macroeconomics , pathology
Background: Emotional disorders in medical students are expected and deserve more attention, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Objective: Evaluate anxiety and depression disorders among medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study at a private medical college in Brazil, two months after stay-at-home order and postponed classes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A survey among medical students was conducted in May 2020, using questionnaires regarding social and demographic status, the GAD-7 for symptoms of anxiety, and the PHQ-9 for symptoms of depression. Results: A total of 340 of 347 (97.98%) medical students participated. The average GAD-7 score was 9.18 (±4.75), and the average PHQ-9 score was 12.72 (±6.62). The results indicate a significant positive relationship between GAD-7 and females (F=5.816 P=.016). Using a cut-off score of 10 for GAD-7, 157 (46.17%) students were identified with moderate or severe anxiety symptoms. For the PHQ-9 score, using a cut-off of 10 219 (64.41%), students were recognized with moderate or severe symptoms of depression; the results indicate a significant positive relationship between the PHQ-9 and females (F=5.640 P=.018). Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of moderate and severe anxiety and depression symptoms among female medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.