Depression, anxiety and stress among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: At the time of COVID-19 pandemic the terms of studying medicine have considerably changed, which could lead to worse mental health of medical students. The study aims to assess the presence of depression, anxiety and stress, categorised to preclinical and clinical groups of students, and their association with sociodemographic and academic characteristics. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on-line using snowball method. Two hundred and six students at the Medical School, University of Zagreb were included, of whom 51% were in the group of preclinical and 49% in the group of clinical years. Results: The study showed the presence of depression in 25.7% of medical students, 26.7% had significant symptoms of anxiety, and 15% of stress. Anxiety and stress were significantly higher in female students. Correlation analysis showed a negative association between depression, anxiety, stress and average grades, between depression and the year of the study, and the time spent in learning correlated negatively with anxiety. In logistic regression average grades and partner status (being in a relationship) were the main predictors of depression. Average grades, gender, and consumption of psychoactive substances were significant predictors of anxiety. Gender and psychoactive substances consumption were significant predictors of stress. Overcoming COVID-19 and vaccination against it were not associated with depression, anxiety and stress. Vaccination was associated with older age and was significantly more common in the clinical years group. Conclusion: In time of the pandemic worse mental health of medical students was associated with female gender,lower academic grades, partner status, and consumption of psychoactive substances. Overcoming COVID-19 and vaccination against it were not associated with mental health