[The prevalence of depression and its associated factors among resident doctors working in a training hospital in Istanbul]

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of depression and to evaluate the association of sociodemographic factors, as well as aspects of the work environment, with depression among resident doctors working in a training hospital in Istanbul.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a teaching hospital which has 332 residents in Istanbul. The required sample size was determined to be 207. The study population was stratified proportionally according to hospital departments and a random sampling method was used. Data were collected with a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic variables, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (MJSQ). The associations were studied through univariate and multivariate analyses.

Findings: The study included 156 residents who agreed to participate (response rate: 75.3%). The prevalence rate of probable depression was 16.0% (95% CI: 10.7-22.7). In the multivariate analysis, the rate of depression was significantly higher among women compared to men (OR: 5.16, 95% CI: 1.51-17.68, p<0.01). Age, marital status, hospital department, duration of residency, number of night shifts, and duration of exposure to daylight in the work environment were not associated with depression. Among the participants, 90.4% did not want to get a feedback concerning their BDI scores. A negative correlation was determined between depression and job satisfaction scores.

Conclusion: Among resident doctors, women in particular should be evaluated as an important at-risk group for depression. Prevention and control programs that also include components for reducing stigma should be implemented.