Exploring Anxiety and Depression Across ABO Blood Groups Among Future Healthcare Professionals

Objective: To explore depression & anxiety across ABO blood groups of medical, dental, physiotherapy and nursing students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Frontier Medical and Dental College, Abbottabad, from April to May 2025 after IRB approval. A google form was distributed via WhatsApp to medical, dental, nursing, and physical therapy students. The survey included demographic details and the 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Scores >8 on either subscale indicated anxiety or depression. The sample size, calculated as 196, was increased to 286 for better validity. Participants included first- to final-year students of both genders, while those with pre-diagnosed psychiatric conditions or on related medications were excluded. Convenience sampling was used. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze data. Results: A total of 286 students (mean age 21.0 ± 2.24 years) participated, including MBBS (50.7%), Nursing (26.9%), DPT (15.7%), and BDS (6.6%) students. Blood group B was the most common, and 86.7% of participants were Rh-positive. Although anxiety was more frequent in students with blood group B, the association was not statistically significant (p=0.082). Depression was most common in blood group O, with significantly higher mean depression scores observed across different blood groups (p=0.04). Conclusion: Anxiety was more frequent in students with blood group B, while depression was most common and significantly associated with blood group O.