A comparative study on depression, anxiety and stress among Indian and Malaysian medical undergraduates

Abstract

Introduction: Stress is a major contributor of severe mental disorders like depression and anxiety. It has gained global importance due to its disease burden at large. It has a negative impact on life and thereby leads to suicidal deaths especially among 15-29 years old. Medical graduates face challenges in striking a balance between academic/hospital and personal/social life. Objective: To assess and compare stress, anxiety and depression    among Malaysian and Indian medical undergraduates. Methodology: A comparative study was conducted among Malaysian And Indian medical undergraduates using a predesigned questionnaire. Total of 303 students were included in the study and their stress anxiety and depression levels were assessed using an ADSS- a 48-item scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Majority of the participants 63.9% and 56.8% belonged to the age group of 18–20 years with higher number of females 58.1% and 67.1% in Malaysian and Indian groups respectively. In Malaysian group , on the stress scale score was low while on the anxiety and depression scale, score was below average for majority of the participants (45.8%, 50.3% and 66.5% respectively) but in the  Indian group on all scales majority of the participants belonged to average score range (32.4%, 50% and 50% respectively) Conclusion: Average levels of stress anxiety and depression were higher among Indian students compared to Malaysian students which demands more attention to be paid to the mental health needs of Indian medical undergraduates by providing them required support and helping them tackle with stress.