To Study Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Major Depressive Disorder Among Medical Students
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is among the most burdensome illnesses worldwide, leading to substantial impairment in one’s quality of life. In India, depression is prevalent among medical students. This is attributed to factors ranging from academic pressures and personal challenges to societal expectations. There is a paucity of studies on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to MDD among these students, especially from North India.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 eligible medical students over a period of two months. Following informed consent, a self-structured validated questionnaire, consisting of 20 questions [divided into knowledge (6), attitudes (6), and practices (7) domains; and an open-ended question], was administered to enrolled students. The responses were collected and the data were analyzed primarily using descriptive statistics. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Of the 400 students, 229 (57.25%) were male. The knowledge scores of participants ranged from 0 to 6, with a mean score of 3.92 ± 1.37. In the attitude section, most participants believed that individuals suffering from major depressive disorder should seek professional help (88.5%, n=354) as a helpful strategy to manage it. Regarding ‘practice’, the majority of students (68%, n=272) actively check in with their peers about their mental well-being.
CONCLUSION: The students demonstrated moderate knowledge, a positive attitude and limited practices to manage major depressive disorder. Therefore, targeted mental health education and awareness programs should be promoted to improve their understanding and encourage supportive mental health practices.
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