Depression among nursing students in an Indian government college

Depression is a major public health threat that can affect anyone including health professionals and nursing students.

This analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 students of a nursing college to find out the burden of depression on them and possible contributing factors using the Beck Depression Inventory.

63.9% of the students were found to be depressed, the majority being mild in grade. First-year students were found to be significantly more affected (P=0.008). Binary logistic regression showed that familial disharmony, disinterest in the course and insecurity about future placement were statistically significant factors behind the development of depression.

It is imperative that the psychological condition of nursing students be viewed as an important aspect to be considered, particularly within the Indian population and others in which there is a paucity of data.