Rate and sociodemographic correlates of depression, anxiety, and stress among domestic and overseas medical students: A cross-sectional observation from a private medical college in Bangladesh

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Depression, anxiety, and stress are the commonly encountered mentalhealth conditions among medical students. Overseas environment may add addi-tional burden to the existing environment. However, comparison of the rate andassociated factors of depression, anxiety, stress among domestic and overseasstudents has not been attempted in Bangladesh. We aimed to assess the rate andassociated factors of depression, anxiety, stress among domestic and overseasmedical students in the country.Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 360 undergraduatemedical students in 2021. Data were collected by self‐reporting instruments by astratified random sampling method by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale‐21scale. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done bycomputing crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval toidentify the associated factors.Results: Among the 360 undergraduate medical students, 181 were domestic and179 overseas ones. 44.8% of domestic students reported depressive symptoms,45.3% reported anxiety symptoms, and 33.1% reported stress. On the other hand,half of overseas students experienced depression (50.3%) and anxiety (52.5%), and41.3% experienced stress. Female medical students were found vulnerable fordeveloping depression, anxiety, and stress than males.Conclusions: The study revealed higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stressamong overseas undergraduate medical students enrolled in a private medical schoolof Bangladesh. Private medical college authorities could consider special services foroverseas students to ensure adequate psychosocial support