Prevalence of anxiety and depression among pharmacy students at a University in South Africa: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction: With approximately one-third of university students reporting symptoms consistent with at least one mental disorder at some point during their academic journey, mental health has become a global public health issue. The implications of these mental health statistics are grave, as anxiety and depression affect student well-being and correlate significantly with academic performance and retention rates. Students afflicted with mental health concerns are recognised to demonstrate lower engagement in their studies and higher dropout rates, which poses challenges for educational institutions aiming to support student success and development. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression, as well as their association with sociodemographic, academic, and clinical characteristics among pharmacy undergraduate students at a university in South Africa.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study targeted undergraduate pharmacy students at a university in South Africa. A purposive sampling approach was used, with 229 out of 304 eligible students participating (75.3 % response rate). Data were collected in October 2024 using three self-administered questionnaires: a sociodemographic, academic, and clinical survey; the GAD-7 for anxiety; and the PHQ-9 for depression. Only students aged 18 and above who provided informed consent were included. Data were input into Excel and analysed with SPSS Version 30. An independent samples t-test and analysis of variance were employed to examine the relationships between sociodemographic, academic, and clinical variables with overall GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. Ethical approval was obtained, and standard protocols ensured data quality and participant confidentiality. The statistical significance in this investigation was established at p < 0.05.

Results: More than half of the participants were female (62.0 %; n = 142), belonged to the 'pedi' cultural group (57.6 %; n = 132), were single (69.0 %; n = 158), and receiving a monthly stipend of ZAR 501-2000 (69.9 %; n = 160). This study identified a prevalence of 41.0 % (n = 94) severe anxiety and 32.7 % (n = 71) severe levels of depression. Gender had a significant influence on the total GAD-7 (p < 0.013) and PHQ-9 (p < 0.024) scores, where females indicated elevated levels of anxiety and depression in comparison to their male counterparts. Prior trauma exposure, a history of psychiatric illness, and previous professional psychological assistance exhibited a significant association (p < 0.05) with the overall mean scores of GAD-7 and PHQ-9. Correlation analysis indicated a robust positive association between total anxiety and depression levels (rs = 0.670, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The high prevalence of anxiety and depression among pharmacy students is a multifaceted issue influenced by socio-demographic, academic, and clinical attributes. Universities are encouraged to establish comprehensive mental health services, which include counselling, stress management workshops, and peer support programs that promote a culture of transparency and support for mental health. Investing in these tools is essential to mitigate the risk factors associated with anxiety and depression, hence enhancing the overall student experience.

Keywords: Depression; General anxiety disorder; Mental well-being; Prevalence; Severity.