Prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students at Badr University in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract Background Owing to the intense academic and clinical pressures they face, medical students are considered particularly vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms. This research seeks to determine how widespread and severe these symptoms are among students at Badr University in Cairo, Egypt. It also aims to explore the sociodemographic and psychosocial factors linked to depression, with a specific focus on the role that internal migration may play. Methods This research followed a descriptive cross-sectional design and involved 263 undergraduate medical students. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms, and participants completed an online, self-administered questionnaire that gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics. Statistical methods included chi-square testing and multiple linear regression to identify significant sociodemographic and clinical associations, as well as to determine potential predictors of depressive symptoms. Results The study found that 53.6% of participants exhibited depressive symptoms, with 36.1% reporting borderline to mild depression, 12.9% moderate and 4.6% severe depression. Significant associations were found between depressive symptoms and female gender ( p = .005), lower academic performance ( p = .042), dissatisfaction with academic results ( p < .001), lack of emotional support ( p = .002), exposure to recent stressful life events ( p = .003) and strained interpersonal relationships ( p < .05). Regression analysis identified that academic dissatisfaction ( p < .001), absence of emotional support ( p < .001) and strained peer relationships ( p = .004) were significant predictors of depression. Contrary to expectations, internal migration was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion A notable percentage of medical students in this study reported experiencing depressive symptoms, underscoring the importance of implementing mental health support systems, regular screening initiatives and strategies to cultivate a more supportive academic and social atmosphere. The results stress the pressing need to embed mental health awareness and services within medical education structures to promote the overall well-being of students.