Depression and Related Factors among Health Science Students in Da Nang, Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: This paper aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression and related factors among health science students in Da Nang, Vietnam. Method: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 401 undergraduate students. Depression was measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Short Depression Scale. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify any associations. Results: Findings indicated that the prevalence of depression among students was 41.6%. Factors associated with the depression were studying in second year (aOR ¼ 3.15, 95%CI: 1.24e7.99), studying in third year (aOR ¼ 2.60, 95%CI: 1.056e6.42), poor health status (aOR ¼ 2.57, 95%CI: 1.54e4.29), low and moderate parents’ relationships (aOR ¼ 12.41, 95%CI: 2.83e54.56 and aOR ¼ 5.71, 95%CI: 2.99e10.87) and high and moderate academic expectations (aOR ¼ 9.45, 95% CI: 4.13e21.66 and aOR ¼ 3.16, 95%CI: 1.68e5.95). Conclusion: Depression puts Vietnamese university students at risk of health and social problems. Prevention efforts are important to determine factors related to depression and prevent the consequence of those problems.