Of the article: “Assessment of depression, anxiety and stress and its associated factors among medical undergraduates in a medical college of West Bengal - a cross-sectional study”

A vital component of health and well-being is mental health. While the medical profession has historically been a highly desired career in Indian society, it is also known for being demanding, often negatively impacting students’ physical and mental health. This study aims to determine prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress and factors associated with these mental health conditions among undergraduate medical students at a Medical College in West Bengal. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2023 among 240 MBBS students. A pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire, including the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), was used to collect data. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant associations between the mental health conditions and various factors. The study found a high prevalence of depression (58.3%), anxiety (64.2%), and stress (35.4%). Regression analysis showed that moderate satisfaction with career choice (AOR = 3.3) and an inability to cope with the syllabus (AOR = 2.54) were significantly associated with depression. Lack of satisfaction with career choice (AOR = 3.26), a family history of mental illness (AOR = 3.22), and an inability to cope with the syllabus (AOR = 2.27) were significantly associated with anxiety. The findings confirm the widespread prevalence of mental health issues among medical students. The results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems within medical colleges to address these challenges and promote the well-being of future medical professionals.