Mental health and its associated factors among students in some health science universities in Vietnam during frst wave of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020

Abstract

The aim of study was to assess the prevalence of depression by WHO-5 screening and its associated factors among Vietnamese students in some health science universities in Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City during COVID-19 pandemic. A web-based survey was conducted from 25 April to 9 May 2020. A total convenient sample was 877 students who were available to answer the questionnaire through social media platforms. WHO-5 Well-being Index was used for the screening of depression among students (a cut of point of ≤ 50 was suggested). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the
association between mental health and potential related factors with signifcant level as 0.05. The prevalence of depression by WHO-5 screening among medical students was 12.7%. Depression among medical students during COVID-19 was signifcantly associated with study programs, satisfaction fnancial situation, future anxiety, chronic diseases, health complaints, importance of Internet information search and information satisfaction (p < 0.05). Therefore, the university leaders need to not only be concerned to mitigate negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical health, socio-economic situations
but also offer psychological assistance to mental health issues.