Depression, Anxiety and Stress Levels Among Allied Health Undergraduates in a Defence University, Sri Lanka

Background: Depression, Anxiety and Stress levels are considered indicators of psychological well-being. These mental disorders conflict with the healthy lives of young adults when entering critical life transitions like university life. Further, Allied Health Sciences undergraduates have been reported as a more vulnerable group in this regard. The main objective of this study was to assess Depression, Anxiety and Stress levels among the undergraduates of a defence university in Sri Lanka. Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study among all the undergraduates (n=640) attached to FAHS, KDU. A general questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, and DASS 21 was used to assess the level of stress, depression, and anxiety. The data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation test and Pearson Chi-square test in SPSS 25.0. Results: The majority were reported, normal level of depression (64.9%), anxiety (59.5%), stress (72.3%). However, 35.1 %, 40.5%, 27.7% were having mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety and stress levels, respectively. A significant strong positive relationship was identified between depression and anxiety (r= 0.707, p= 0.000), depression and stress (r=0.722, p= 0.000) and anxiety and stress (r=0.658, p= 0.000). The level of depression was statistically significant only with degree course (p=0.040). However, anxiety and stress levels had no significant associations with gender, academic year, and degree course. The current medical treatments had significant associations with depression (p= 0.002), anxiety (p= 0.000) and stress (p= 0.002). Moreover, history of psychological treatments had associations with anxiety (0.009) and stress (0.040). Conclusion: The majority of the participants had 'normal' levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among the study population. However, frequent assessment of the undergraduates' psychological profiles is essential to make necessary interventions to enhance their mental health status.