Depression and Alcohol Use in Undergraduate Medical Students in a Private Medical College

Abstract

BACKGROUND Depression can significantly hamper academic performance and can also lead to substance use and abuse. The various causes leading to depression in medical students along with the multiple factors for alcohol use, needs to be assessed in view of rising levels of psychiatric morbidity. Aim-To study the relationship between depression and alcohol use among undergraduate medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study was done on 428 undergraduate students in a private medical college in Karnataka. They were assessed using a semi-structured proforma, Beck Depression Inventory and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. RESULTSMajority of the students were between 17 -20 years, females, studying in second year, had never failed earlier, stayed in hostel with roommate (s), were not in a relationship, 13.6% of the students had moderate depression, 8.4% had severe depression and 2.8% had extreme depression. 49.1% had consumed alcohol at least once. 15.7% had hazardous level of drinking, while 3.7% had dependence level of drinking. Common stressors were -need to do well academically and vast amount of content to be learned. Coping measures used by the students were using TV/ internet/ music to relax and seeking out friends for conversation and support. CONCLUSIONDepression and alcohol use are highly prevalent in undergraduate medical students. Many of them reported stressors in the academic, relationship and adjustment domains and used various coping strategies to deal with them. Since there is proof that depression or alcohol use during undergraduate medical training foresees future predicaments in physicians, effective measures need to be taken up. KEYWORDSUndergraduate Medical Students, Depression, Alcohol Use. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Haorongbam M, Sathyanarayana MT, Akshatha DHS. Depression and alcohol use in undergraduate medical students in a private medical college.

Alcohol use among adolescents in India: a systematic review

“…Some studies reported the prevalence of AUDs and defined them using standardised tools (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test [AUDIT], CAGE questionnaire, Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test [ASSIST]), ICD 10 criteria or bespoke definitions. Among medical students (18–23 years) who were drinkers, the prevalence of hazardous drinking was 19.29% (Anandi et al ., 2018 ), alcohol dependence was 3.7–10% (Kundapur and Kodyalamoole, 2016 ; Haorongbam et al ., 2018 ), binge drinking 14–30% (Kundapur and Kodyalamoole, 2016 ; Anandi et al ., 2018 ) and ‘problem drinking’ (not defined) was 41.46% (Garg et al ., 2009 ). Among students of classes 8, 10 and 12 (12–19 years), 1.6% (2% males, 0% females) of lifetime users had alcohol dependence (Jaisoorya et al ., 2016 ).…”

“…Among medical students (22-23 years), 44% considered it safe to consume alcohol, and 88% believe drinking patterns are mood-dependent (Kundapur and Kodyalamoole, 2016). In medical students (17-23 years), reasons for initiation of drinking included curiosity (19.6%), attending a party (17.5%), friends' influence (15.2%) and social gatherings (9.8%); and reasons for continued use included enjoyment (31.5%), as a coping mechanism for depressive symptoms (17.8%), socialisation (14.8%) and to take mind off other issues (9.6%) (Haorongbam et al, 2018). Among college-going students (mean age 16.7 years; S.D.…”