Prevalence of depression among post-graduate medical trainees in selected institutions in eastern Nigeria: A multi-centre study

Background: Doctors in training are at high risk for depression, and this could lead to poor-quality of patient care and increased medical errors. Objectives: The study assessed the prevalence of depression among resident doctors in selected institutions in Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at three tertiary hospitals from December 2017 and March 2018. Resident doctors were recruited for self-assessment using Beck Depression Inventory®-II. Data were collated and analysed using SPSS version 21, statistical significance was inferred at P value = 0.05. Results: Among the 170 resident doctors studied, the age range was 26-53 years, and the mean age was 33.89 (SD = 4.71) with 127 (74.7%) males and 43 females (25.3%). Ninety-five (55.9%) were junior residents while 75 were senior residents (44.1%). Eight four (49.4%) residents had attempted the membership certification examination with first attempt success rate of 39(46.4%). The overall prevalence of depression was in the study was 17 (10.0%). The prevalence increased to 17.3% and 17.86% in senior residents and residents who have attempted the first post-graduate membership examinations respectively. Depression was more in residents who attempted the membership exam (p=0.001) and in senior residents (p =0.005) Conclusion: Our study found that trainee doctors who had attempted the membership exam and senior residents were more likely to be diagnosed of depression. Thus, there is a need for relevant stakeholders to review the support network for doctors in training.