Social support, peer relations and depression among second- and third-year Medical students of Makerere University

Abstract

Depression in Medical school has been a rising issue for the past two decades. In Uganda the Medical school duration is of a maximum of six years that are hectic, full time consuming, consisting a lot of stressors to the students. Multiple enhancers of depression among these students have been studied however less has been done in factors of peer relations – social support- depression triad. Our study showed how the three parameters interact with each other especially at MakCHS among Second and Third year students since they are more susceptible to depression as by multiple studies. Our study targeted all genders and all ages as long as they were eligible according to our criteria. Data from medical students aged 20-32 years was obtained (n=57) and included in the data analysis with a higher frequency recorded at the age of 22. Most data were obtained from female participants with a percentage of 50.9. The Correlation results showed no significant relationship between depression and peer relations. (r=1, P>0.05). Correlation results showed no significant relationship between social support and depression (r=1, P>0.05). Correlation results showed a significant relationship between social support and peer relations. (r=1, P<0.05). In conclusion, social support and peer relations should be put into consideration while dealing with depression among students at MakCHS