Somatic Symptoms, Anxiety, and Depression Among College Students in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: A Cross-Sectional Study

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.859107
• Publication Date: 2022-03-11T05:33:20Z
• Authors: Beata Gavurova; Viera Ivankova; Martin Rigelsky; Tawfik Mudarri; Michal Miovsky
• Keywords: Patient Health Questionnaire; Cross-sectional study; Depression; Marital status

Studying in college can be a challenging time for many students, which affect their mental health. In addition to academic pressure and stressful tasks, another aggravating factor student life is the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of study was examine prevalence anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms Czech Slovak students during COVID-19 pandemic evaluate possible socio-demographic determinants health problems. A total 3,099 respondents participated this cross-sectional (Czech Republic: 1,422, Slovakia: 1,677). analyzes included Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), Generalized Anxiety Disorder instrument (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9). Socio-demographic factors were gender, age, family structure, marital status, form study, degree year field distance between home college, residence, housing semester. Among complaints, anxiety 72.2, 40.3, 52%, respectively. 69.5, 34.6, 47%, During pandemic, most severe problems identified non-negligible part sample PHQ-15 = 10.1%, GAD-7 4.9%, PHQ-9 3.4%; 7.4%, 3.5%, 2.7%). Regarding differences analyzed countries, significantly higher score symptoms, Republic. Significant disorders found characteristics. main results logistic regression analysis revealed that risk female younger third Informatics, Mathematics, Information Communication Technologies (ICT). Especially case these high-risk groups public policies should consider response impending findings are an appeal proactive approach improving implementation effective prevention programs, more than necessary environment.