ABSTRACT

Objective:

Difficulties encountered in education life are risk factors that may cause depression for university students. In this study, the prevalence of depression symptoms in university students studying in the field of health was investigated.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study; from the Faculty of Dentistry 118 (78%), from the Faculty of Health Sciences 372 (78%) and from the Faculty of Medicine 410 (89%) final year students attended. Possible depression was measured by using the Beck Depression Scale (score ≥17). Statistical analysis was done by using Chi-square, Mann Whıtney-U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with depression.

Results:

The frequency of depression symptoms of university students participating in this study is 24.6%. It is 26.8% for female students. It is 19.8% for male students. 45.8% for the students of the faculty of dentistry; it is 26.9% for the students of the faculty of health sciences; it is 16.3% in medical faculty students. The prevalence of depression symptoms is higher in students who are exposed to violence by patients or their relatives. The prevalence of depression symptoms is higher in those who say “I have made the wrong choice about the choice of profession” / “I am undecided” and in those with future concerns about the profession.

Conclusion:

These students are affected by physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial risk factors that pose a risk for depression, which is specific to the health field during their internship period. Measures should be taken to protect students from these risk factors.