EFFECT OF COVID PANDEMIC ON PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AMONG MEDICALSTUDENTS OF SIALKOT MEDICAL COLLEGE SIALKOT, PAKISTAN.

Abstract

The objective the study is to assess the percentage prevalence of depression among students of SMC, and the relationship of its severity with the Year of Study (MBBS) after pandemic.Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) – II, In Urdu Translation was filled by the students from each year of study. Variables like year of study and age were mentioned, and the depression in subjects was graded as minimal, mild, moderate and severe based on BDI score. The study was conducted at Sialkot Medical College,  Sialkot during pandemic of 04 months from 1^st August to 30^th November, 2021.Out of 100 participants, 46% were suffering from Depression. On scoring and grading,10% revealed minimal disease, 11% cases showed mild depression, in 15% moderate depression was seen while 10%cases were found to be of severe depression. The prevalence of depression decreased with increasing age and advancing year of study. Analysis showed: 60% of the depressed cases were from 1^st year MBBS, 45% from 2^nd year, 55% from 3^rd year, 40% from 4^th year, and 30% (least prevalence) in Final Year MBBS.46 % MBBS students, in SMC are suffering from depression in September 2021. This shows that there are an enormous number of stressors faced by medical students. Approaching near professional exams is a great causative factor. While Mental Health effects of Covid 19 on medical students in the post covid period is worth mentioning.