[Risk of anxiety and depression in nursing students in Rome (Italy)]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of anxiety and depression among student nurses. If not recognized, this risk can adversely affect student health and learning and the quality of patient care. The study was performed through administration of the twelve-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to nursing students attending two universities in Rome (Italy). Forty-seven percent of students attending University A and 38% attending University B were found to be at risk. The risk of anxiety and depression was found to be higher in females with respect to males. In both universities, a higher risk was found in those students who were dissatisfied with their academic grades (University A: p £ 0.001, University B: p = 0.03), or with their family's economic situation (A and B £ p = 0.001), and in those who reported stressful events (A: p = 0.036; B: p = 0.02). Regardless of the university, what emerges is a picture of fragile students with female students showing a greater fragility.