Silent struggles: a qualitative study exploring mental health challenges of undergraduate healthcare students

BMC Medical Education, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, and perform. among healthcare students has become major concern, drawing attention due to its profound impact on their welfare, academic performance, ability effectively interact with patients. This paper aimed explore the experiences undergraduate facing mental challenges at Qatar University. With focus understanding factors contributing issues exploring coping mechanisms, research also sought identify students' recommendations for institutional support improve well-being. A qualitative approach using semi-structured face-to-face interviews was employed collect data. purposive sampling method used recruit from five disciplines- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health Sciences Nursing- who had self-reported mild moderate depressive symptoms based Patient Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21). total 15 were conducted, recorded, transcribed verbatim, thematic analysis key themes. Several themes emerged interviews, including pressure, social isolation, anxiety, fear failure, stigma surrounding support. Academic pressure consistently reported as stressor, anxiety emotional strain. Social isolation further exacerbated challenges, while many highlighted lack well-established strategies. Stigma related seeking significant barrier, preventing accessing available services. The study highlights faced by students, emphasizing need effective Addressing pressures, enhancing self-coping mechanisms systems, reducing around care are essential steps toward improving student Not applicable.

Language: Английский

Prevalence of depression and its correlates among undergraduate health science students in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Background Depression among undergraduate health science students is increasingly recognized as a significant public issue globally. These face immense academic pressure, often leading to stress and mental exhaustion, particularly for studying in humanitarian crisis situation. However, there scarcity of information this regard higher education institutions Somalia. Hence, investigation was conducted assess the prevalence depression its correlates Methods A cross-sectional study on 321 from some universities Mogadishu, The data collected medicine, nursing midwifery, laboratory at SIMAD university, Banadir Mogadishu university Jamhuriya all located Mogadishu. Simple random sampling based class list used select participants web-based self-administered Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) screen depression. were cleaned checked completeness before exporting into SPSS version 27 Statistical software analysis, where descriptive statistics well logistic regression analysis done determine independent predictors outcome variable. Significant association determined 95% confidence interval p -value < 0.05. Result 58.6%. total 41.5% (133/321) free (Normal), while 30.8% had mild depression, 27.1% moderate 0.6% severe Analysis between sociodemographic variables depressive state participant showed statistical significance ( = 0.045) course study. Students midwifery highest case with 68.6% (59/86), followed by 66.7% (30/45), 52.3% (34/65), medicine having least number depressed 52.0% (65/125). Similarly, gender also found be statistically 0.001) female 65% which 41.1% studied. Conclusion high positively associated gender, trouble authorities, emotional problems, experience sexual abuse or violence. routine screening monitoring students’ campus providing services necessary address growing problem.

Language: Английский