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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Psychiatry

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among medical residents at four hospitals in Ecuador: a cross-sectional study

  • José Alejandro Valdevila Figueira1,2,3
  • Andrés Ramírez4
  • Indira Dayana Carvajal Parra1,3
  • Samijazath Alexander Naranjo Alban1,5
  • Rocío Valdevila Santiesteban3
  • Jose A. Rodas6,7
  • María José Pico Cucalón1,3
  • Rodolfo Farfán8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Instituto de Neurociencias de Guayaquil
  2. 2Universidad Ecotec
  3. 3Red de Investigación en Psicología y Psiquiatría (RIPYP)
  4. 4Carrera de Psicología Clínica, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana
  5. 5Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil
  6. 6School of Psychology, Universidad Espíritu Santo
  7. 7School of Psychology, University College Dublin
  8. 8Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil
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Abstract

Background: Medical residents face high clinical, academic, and personal demands; however, evidence regarding depressive symptoms during postgraduate medical training in Ecuador remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and evaluate associated sociodemographic, academic, and occupational factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using an electronic survey was conducted between May 31 and June 30, 2026, among medical residents from four Ecuadorian institutions. Of 302 eligible residents, 159 accessed the survey; 151 provided informed consent, completed the questionnaire, and were included in the analysis. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were defined as a PHQ-9 score ≥10. Prevalence estimates were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Associated factors were examined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: The mean age was 33.2 years (SD = 4.3); 93 participants (61.6%) were women, 82 (54.3%) were enrolled in clinical specialties, and 69 (45.7%) in surgical specialties. The prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) was 37.7% (95% CI: 30.4-45.7). In the adjusted model, second-year residents (aOR = 3.82; 95% CI: 1.37-10.64) and third-year residents (aOR = 4.33; 95% CI: 1.47–12.72) had higher odds of PHQ-9 scores ≥10 than first-year residents. No statistically significant associations were observed with age, sex, specialty category, monthly on-call shifts, or relationship status.

Conclusions: Depressive symptoms were common among participating medical residents at four hospitals in Ecuador, with higher adjusted odds of PHQ-9 scores ≥10 among second- and third-year residents compared with first-year residents. These findings suggest the potential value of confidential mental health screening and institutional support strategies during medical residency. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine temporal relationships and identify modifiable factors within the training environment.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{figueira2026prevalence,
  title = {{Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among medical residents at four hospitals in Ecuador: a cross-sectional study}},
  author = {José Alejandro Valdevila Figueira and Andrés Ramírez and Indira Dayana Carvajal Parra and Samijazath Alexander Naranjo Alban and Rocío Valdevila Santiesteban and Jose A. Rodas and María José Pico Cucalón and Rodolfo Farfán},
  journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.2003488},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.2003488/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among medical residents at four hospitals in Ecuador: a cross-sectional study
AU  - José Alejandro Valdevila Figueira
AU  - Andrés Ramírez
AU  - Indira Dayana Carvajal Parra
AU  - Samijazath Alexander Naranjo Alban
AU  - Rocío Valdevila Santiesteban
AU  - Jose A. Rodas
AU  - María José Pico Cucalón
AU  - Rodolfo Farfán
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/13
JO  - Frontiers in Psychiatry
DO  - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.2003488
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.2003488/full
AB  - Background: Medical residents face high clinical, academic, and personal demands; however, evidence regarding depressive symptoms during postgraduate medical training in Ecuador remains limited.  Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and evaluate associated sociodemographic, academic, and occupational factors.  Methods: A cross-sectional study using an electronic survey was conducted between May 31 and June 30, 2026, among medical residents from four Ecuadorian institutions. Of 302 eligible residents, 159 accessed the survey; 151 provided informed consent, completed the questionnaire, and were included in the analysis. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were defined as a PHQ-9 score ≥10. Prevalence estimates were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Associated factors were examined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.  Results: The mean age was 33.2 years (SD = 4.3); 93 participants (61.6%) were women, 82 (54.3%) were enrolled in clinical specialties, and 69 (45.7%) in surgical specialties. The prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) was 37.7% (95% CI: 30.4-45.7). In the adjusted model, second-year residents (aOR = 3.82; 95% CI: 1.37-10.64) and third-year residents (aOR = 4.33; 95% CI: 1.47–12.72) had higher odds of PHQ-9 scores ≥10 than first-year residents. No statistically significant associations were observed with age, sex, specialty category, monthly on-call shifts, or relationship status.  Conclusions: Depressive symptoms were common among participating medical residents at four hospitals in Ecuador, with higher adjusted odds of PHQ-9 scores ≥10 among second- and third-year residents compared with first-year residents. These findings suggest the potential value of confidential mental health screening and institutional support strategies during medical residency. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine temporal relationships and identify modifiable factors within the training environment.
SN  - 1664-0640
ER  -