Cent Eur J Public Health 2023, 31(3):217-222 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7680

Comparison of prevalence of depression symptoms and history of suicidality in students of medical schools and other study programmes of Charles University

Adam Žaludek¹, Alena Fialová^2,3, Karolína Pokorná¹, Petr Hudáč¹, Jan David⁴, David Marx¹

¹ Department of Public Health, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic

² Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

³ Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic

⁴ Private Paediatric Department, Prague, Czech Republic

Objectives: Medical students represent a group of undergraduate students who are exposed to specific risk factors that may lead to the onset of depression and the occurrence of suicidal ideation. The aim of the article is to present information about the prevalence of symptoms of depression in medical students of different faculties at Charles University, Prague, compared to other students of this university.

Methods: We used a standardized Beck's Inventory scale II (BDI-II) with added specific questions electronically distributed to undergraduate students of the full-time forms of study of all faculties of Charles University. The data collection was anonymous and took place in December 2020. The data were statistically assessed in relation to the occurrence of moderate and severe depression using univariate and multivariable analysis.

Results: Moderate and severe depression rate (MSDR) was recorded in 19.6% of medical school students, who returned the questionnaire, compared to 23.4% of students of other faculties (p = 0.001) of Charles University in Prague. Differences in MSDR among students of different faculties of medicine of Charles University were not statistically significant. The total number of previous suicide attempts among respondents was 542, of which 115 were medical students, with the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts among all students participating in the study 6.96% and in medical students of Charles University 5.73%.

Conclusions: The findings of our study highlight the need for systematic, accessible and timely assistance to university students, both in terms of prevention and early intervention, which can take place at the university level and within the mental healthcare system.

Keywords: suicidality, depression, university students, medical students, prevalence

Received: December 7, 2022; Revised: August 31, 2023; Accepted: August 31, 2023; Published: September 30, 2023  Show citation