Common Mental Disorders and Associated Factors in Dental Students From Cartagena, Colombia

Psychological morbidity assessments are of interest since mental health is part of a person's overall health and early detection promotes emotional well-being.

To determine the association between common mental disorders and related factors in dental students from Cartagena, Colombia.

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 858 dental students from Cartagena, Colombia; who answered a structured anonymous self-report questionnaire to assess the presence of common mental disorders (CMD) (General Health Questionnaire-12), problematic alcohol consumption (CAGE), sociodemographic and other related variables. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis was conducted later using χ² tests. The strength of association was obtained with prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Finally adjusted PRs, and 95%CIs were obtained using a log-binomial regression model. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata v.13.2 for Windows (Stata Corp.; TX, USA).

The average age was 20.8±3.01 years of age, and more than half were females. CMD overall prevalence was 30.3% (95%CI, 27.3-33.5). The regression model suggested as associated factors: sex (PR, 1.54; 95%CI, 1.21-1.96), recent economic changes (PR, 1.70; 95%CI, 1.37-2.12), family conflicts [PR, 2.29; 95%CI, 1.89-2.77), abandonment (PR, 1.58; 95%CI, 1.23-2.03), history of abuse (PR, 2.05; 95%CI, 1.27-3.31), and problematic alcohol consumption (PR, 1.35; 95%CI, 1.02-1.78).

CMD prevalence was high. Being female, family conflicts, history of abuse and problematic alcohol consumption are considered as risk factors for CMD development and should be carefully assessed to predict emotional well-being.