An Assessment of Anxiety And Depressive Disorders Among Medical Students: A Case Of Kenya Medical Training College (Kmtc), Bondo, Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed anxiety and depressive disorders among medical students at KMTC, Bondo. The objectives included determining the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among these students, identifying factors contributing to these mental conditions, and discovering the coping mechanisms utilized by students experiencing anxiety and depression. The study was guided by Aaron Beck's cognitive theory, rooted in the broader cognitive-behavioral therapy framework used in therapeutic approaches for mental health issues, learning/ behavioral theory of anxiety, and Selye’s stress theory. The study employed cross-sectional research design and simple random sampling techniques to select 255 students. Data collection utilized a self-administered questionnaire, including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale, questions on contributing factors, and the Brief-COPE inventory. Analysis with STATA revealed that all students experienced some level of anxiety, with the majority reporting minimal to mild anxiety (80%) and depression (72.16%). However, 20% and 27.84% of students experienced moderate to severe anxiety and depression, respectively. Key contributing factors included high expectations from family and friends (92.94%), high self-expectations (91.37%), financial strain (89.41%), fear of failing (88.63%), and extensive coursework (85.49%). Regression analysis and ANOVA highlighted significant factors, particularly high family expectations for both anxiety and depression, and feelings of being in the wrong career as a key contributor to depression. Students employed both positive and negative coping mechanisms, with popular strategies including religion (92.16%), active coping (91.76%), planning (91.37%), acceptance (90.59%), and positive reframing (88.63%). The study recommends multifaceted interventions to help students address the causes of anxiety and depression and improve their coping strategies in stressful situations.