scholarly journals Relationship between depressive symptoms and cumulative 24-hour urinary norepinephrine excretion level among undergraduate medical students in Uganda

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mutiat O Owoola-Ajirotutu ◽  
Alfred O Okpanachi ◽  
Akeem G Owoola ◽  
Godfrey Z Rukundo ◽  
Sadiq Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
International University ◽  
Southwestern Uganda ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Excretion Level

AbstractBackgroundDepression is a serious mental health problem in different parts of the world and has been reported to be rising among undergraduate medical students. The incidence of depression has not only been linked to psychosocial factors but also to biological factors, such as altered urinary levels of norepinephrine. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of depression among undergraduate medical students in Uganda and examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and 24-hour urinary norepinephrine excretion levels in the participants.MethodsOne hundred and sixteen undergraduate medical students (75 males and 41 females) of Kampala International University, in southwestern Uganda were evaluated for depression using the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) questionnaire. Twenty-four-hour urine collections from each participant were assayed for norepinephrine excretion levels. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient were computed to examine the data obtained.ResultsThe results of this study showed that, a total of 33 participants (28.4%) have depressive symptoms. Students with depressive symptoms had higher but not significant 24-hour urinary mean norepinephrine excretion levels than those without depressive symptoms (121.97±51.48μg/day Vs 87.58±18.64 μg/day, P>0.05). There was a positive weak relationship between BDI scores and 24-hour urinary norepinephrine levels (r= 0.21, p = 0.28). Regression models accounting for socio-demographic characteristics indicated that, type of accommodation, marital status, relationship with parents, educational sponsorship may be risk factors for depressive symptoms observed in the participants.ConclusionsThese results suggest that increased urinary norepinephrine excretion and other psychosocial factors may be associated with depressive symptoms. Measurements of 24-hour urinary norepinephrine excretion may serve as an integrative parameter in diagnosing and management of patients with depression.

scholarly journals THE RELATIONSHIP between COURSE MANAGEMENT and EXAMINATION ATTRITION RATES among UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS at the UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harrison Daka ◽  
Sekelani S. Banda ◽  
Charles M. Namafe
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Course Management ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship

This study investigated the relationship between course management and examination attrition rates among undergraduate medical students at the University of Zambia, School of Medicine between the years 2008 to 2016. An explanatory sequential research design was used for data collection. Data were captured using an evaluation survey instrument, students’ Focus Group Discussion schedule and an interview schedule for key informants. Quantitative data from the first set were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data from the second set were analysed using constant comparative method. The findings indicate that there was significant statistical difference in the course workloads in all programmes (p = 0.000, F = 4, 596, d f = 8.53). The course loads were heavy, had little time allocated to them. Course concepts were not taught in depth and led to students’ perceptions that the courses were difficult. As such, there is urgent need to revise or review course contents (i. e. curricular) of several programmes to be in accordance with the time allocated to them and that the Department of Medical Education and Development (DMED) should consider organizing specific pedagogical training programmes for existing and newly employed academic staff.

scholarly journals Rates of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms among Female Undergraduate Medical Students at National Medical College and Teaching Hospital

2019 ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Sandesh Sawant ◽  
Garima Tripathi ◽  
Tripti Pal Raman
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Family History ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Female Undergraduate ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
The Mean

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Literature states that Depression and anxiety symptoms carry impairment to medical students, including poor academic performance, drop out, substance abuse and suicide. A high prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students has been reported worldwide. Higher prevalence is noticed among female students.</p><p><strong>Aim/Objectives: </strong>To study rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among female undergraduate medical students.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study is a cross-sectional study. The purposive sampling method was used. Duration of study was 6 months. A total number of participants’ were 100. Self-developed questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale were used. </p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings showed that the mean score of anxiety symptoms was 8.08 (SD± 4.07). Similarly, the mean score of Depressive symptoms was 4.99(SD± 3.28). Fifty-two per cent of the students rated anxiety symptoms and 25% of the student rated depressive symptoms between borderline to the abnormal range. Total 9% of the students reported that they have a family history of mental illness among which 8% reported borderline to an abnormal range of anxiety however 52 % who had no family history also scored the same range. Similarly, 17% of the students reported there were life events which were stressful among which 13% scored borderline to abnormal range anxiety symptoms. Likewise, only 5% of the students scored borderline to the abnormal range of depressive symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It was observed that female undergraduate medical students experience both anxiety and depressive symptoms however the percentage of depressive symptoms were less compared to anxiety symptoms. Further studies are required to evaluate the associated factors responsible for depressive and anxiety symptoms.</p>

scholarly journals Depression Among Undergraduate Medical Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 56-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibhusan Basnet ◽  
M Jaiswal ◽  
B Adhikari ◽  
PM Shyangwa
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Academic Stress ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Inducing Factors ◽  
Major Factors

Background  Psychological stress is common in medical school and associated with depression. Medical education is grooming in Nepal, but only few studies are done concerning mental health of medical students. Objective  To assess the prevalence of depression among medical students at different levels of education and find about their stressors. Methods  A cross sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out among the undergraduate medical students of B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal. 50 students each from Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) first and third year were enrolled in the study conducted between November 2008 to January2009. The depression levels were assessed using Zung depression scale. Students were asked to complete the questionnaire and then the depression levels calculated .The stress inducing factors during their course of medical education were also assessed. Results  The overall prevalence of depression among the students was 29.78 percent. The prevalence of depression in first and third year was 36.74and 22.22 percent respectively. The prevalence of depression was 32.43 percent among female students versus 28.07 percent in male students. Both first and third year students gave high ratings to academic stress and hectic lifestyle as the main stress inducing factors. Conclusion  The prevalence of depression is seen especially in the first year medical students. So, attempts should be made to alleviate the stressors right from the time they join medical school. Since academic stress proved to be one of the major factors, measures to make the academic curriculum more student-friendly are suggested. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | VOL.10 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 39 | JUL- SEP 2012 | Page 56-59 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i3.8021

scholarly journals Depression in multiple sclerosis across the adult lifespan

2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852097930
Author(s):  
Carol K Chan ◽  
Fan Tian ◽  
Daniela Pimentel Maldonado ◽  
Ellen M Mowry ◽  
Kathryn C Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the burden of depressive symptoms across the adult age span in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and test if the relationship between depressive symptoms and MS characteristics vary across age groups. Methods: In analyses of the MS Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) network of adults with MS, we compared the prevalence of depression in MS PATHS with non-MS controls across age and evaluated for effect modification by age in the association between depressive symptoms and clinical and neuroperformance measures via multivariable-adjusted regression models. Results: In total, 13,821 individuals with MS were included. The prevalence of depression was higher in MS versus non-MS controls, but was similar between men/women across age. The association between depression and processing speed (PST; p for interaction = 0.009) or walking speed ( p for interaction = 0.04) varied by age. For example, younger depressed individuals had 0.45 standard deviation (SD) (95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.62, −0.29) worse PST Z-scores versus non-depressed younger participants, whereas older depressed individuals had 0.20 SD (95% CI = −0.32, −0.08) worse PST Z-scores versus non-depressed older participants. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms and age should be considered when interpreting measures of walking speed and cognitive function; these findings may have implications for analyses of neuroperformance change.

scholarly journals Online Learning Using Google Classroom: Undergraduate Medical Students and Paediatric Residents Perspectives in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
I. E. Yarhere ◽  
I. O. Obuzor ◽  
E. Fomsi
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Internet Availability ◽  
Learning Platforms

Schools in Nigeria were shut down and lectures stopped altogether. The capacity of the Nigerian educational environment to carry out these online interactions may be stretched thin with many foreseeable challenges. Objectives: To identify the current familiarity and use of online classroom platforms by medical students and Paediatric residents, and to identify the barriers to its use for medical education. Methods: A descriptive comparative study design using a semi-structured online questionnaire Google survey of 128 medical students and residents in training in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital assessing demographics, availability of tools for online learning and application. Results: Both groups had high familiarity, but low use, of Google classroom, and preferred mobile devices to laptops. There was high familiarity 90.6%, but low use 42.2%, of Google classroom and the ease of using Google classroom for interphasing or interacting between learners and facilitators was affected by Internet availability, Pearson correlation, 0.185, p = 0.037, but not electric power availability, Pearson correlation, 0.135, p = 0.133. Conclusions: There is an overall high awareness of a range of the Google classroom LMS platform by both medical students and residents. However, constant electric energy supply, availability of internet and competence in preparing multimedia presentations and uploading these for assessment may enhance the use of online learning platforms in Nigeria for undergraduate and post graduate medical education.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Relationship Between Online Learning Environment and Medical Students’ Wellbeing During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 108-117
Author(s):  
Rita Mustika ◽  
◽  
Edward Christopher Yo ◽  
Muhammad Faruqi ◽  
Rahma Tsania Zhuhra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been found to negatively affect medical students’ wellbeing. This finding may be related to how medical education is being conducted at present, with online learning replacing face-to-face teaching in many countries. This cross-sectional study aims to assess how the online learning environment is connected to medical students’ wellbeing. Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to undergraduate medical students at Universitas Indonesia. The study was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021. The questionnaire included a modified version of the Online Learning Environment Scale (OLES) and the Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment (PERMA) profiler. The OLES was used to evaluate students’ perceptions of the online learning environment, whereas the PERMA Profiler was used to evaluate students’ wellbeing. We validated the questionnaire before distribution. The content validity index was 1.0, with internal consistency coefficients of 0.87 and 0.89, respectively. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between OLES and PERMA scores. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 274 undergraduate medical students. Students reported moderate to high degrees of positive perception towards online learning, high levels of positive emotions and moderate levels of negative emotions. Statistically significant differences were found across groups based on students’ gender, year of study and academic programme. Almost all aspects of the online learning environment were significantly predictive of students’ wellbeing, with personal relevance and evaluation and assessment being the two most important predictors (R2 = 0.201; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Medical students generally enjoyed online learning, although some challenges were presented. The online learning environment was positively associated with students’ wellbeing; however, some students expressed negative emotions including loneliness, anxiety, anger and sadness.

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