Psychiatric Disorders in First Year Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (2002)

Introduction: Reviewing previous studies related to the mental health of different universities in Iran show that mental disorders prevalence among students vary in different studies. This study aimed to determine the rate of psychiatric disorders of first year students in Kermanshah University of Medicals Sciences during 2002.

Materials & Methods: 423 first year students (314 females and 109 males) were selected from the available population. The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase the subjects mental characteristics were studied using self-rating questionnaire (SQR-24) as a screening tool. Clinical judgment of a psychiatrist based on DSM-TV criteria’s was considered as abase for studying the mental characteristics of students in the second phase. X² and Z score tests were used for statistical analyses. 

Results: The findings indicated that 28.37% of the subjects had the following disorders; mood disorders (9.45%), adjustment disorders (8.4%) anxiety disorders (6.6%), personality disorders (3.78%) and eating disorders  4.8%. There was a statistically significant relationship between students’ mental health and some of their characteristics.

Conclusion: Since prevalence of students’ mental disorders, especially depression, is high based on these findings, it is necessary to improve mental health and life styles of educational environments in Kermanshah University of Medicals Sciences.