Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study.
6 affiliations
- 1Research and Community Service Office, Adal Medical University, Borama, Somaliland. [email protected].
- 2Faculty of Health Science, Amoud University, Borama, Somaliland.
- 3Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Adal Medical University, Borama, Somaliland.
- 4Faculty of Public Health, Adal Medical University, Borama, Somaliland.
- 5College of Health Sciences, Alpha University, Borama, Somaliland.
- 6School of Medicine, Institute of Health Science, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia.
Abstract
Background
Mental disorders are characterized by significant impairments in an individual's thoughts, emotional control, and patterns of behavior. University students frequently suffer from mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress.Objective
This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland.Methods
An institution-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 undergraduate health professions students from October to December 2025. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed via the DASS-21, with subscale scores multiplied by two and classified by severity. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association, and statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.Results
The prevalences of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland, were 47.6% (95% CI: 42.2-53.2), 49.5% (95% CI: 43.9-55.0), and 55.6% (95% CI: 50.0-61.0), respectively. Depression was associated with academic failure [AOR = 3.73, 95% CI (1.98; 7.01)], poor time management [AOR = 4.46, 95% CI (1.41; 14.17)], lack of supportive friends/family [AOR = 3.43, 95% CI (1.70; 6.92)], drug use [AOR = 3.69, 95% CI (1.14; 11.95)], and diagnosed health conditions [AOR = 2.45, 95% CI (1.20; 4.97)]. Anxiety was associated with academic failure/probation [AOR = 3.91, 95% CI (2.13; 7.18)], lack of supportive friends/family [AOR = 3.78, 95% CI (1.91; 7.48)], and diagnosed health conditions [AOR = 2.82, 95% CI (1.44; 5.55)], whereas being single was protective [AOR=0.34, 95% CI (0.14; 0.82)]. Stress was associated with feeling academically overwhelmed sometimes [AOR = 2.05, 95% CI (1.12; 3.70)], academic failure/probation [AOR = 3.88, 95% CI (1.99; 7.56)], poor time management [AOR = 4.49, 95% CI (1.27; 15.85)], lack of supportive friends/family [AOR = 2.27, 95% CI (1.12; 4.61)], and diagnosed health conditions [AOR = 3.09, 95% CI (1.46; 6.54)], whereas being single was protective [AOR=0.30, 95% CI (0.11; 0.79)].Conclusions
This study revealed a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students. Academic failure, poor time management, lack of social support, marital status, health conditions, drug use, and academic challenge stressors were identified as potential correlates in exploratory analyses. Screening students using DASS-21 every semester and establishing peer support programs would reduce mental health challenges and enhance academic performance.
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BibTeX
@article{negash2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study.}},
author = {Kahsay Hailu Negash and Abdilahi Abdkarim Osman and Ahmed Moumin Abdilahi and Farhan Muse Omar and Osman Said Guelleh and Mohamed Abdi Farah and Mekonin Meskelu Shegere},
journal = {BMC psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12888-026-08438-7},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894155},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study.
AU - Kahsay Hailu Negash
AU - Abdilahi Abdkarim Osman
AU - Ahmed Moumin Abdilahi
AU - Farhan Muse Omar
AU - Osman Said Guelleh
AU - Mohamed Abdi Farah
AU - Mekonin Meskelu Shegere
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC psychiatry
DO - 10.1186/s12888-026-08438-7
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894155
AB - Background Mental disorders are characterized by significant impairments in an individual's thoughts, emotional control, and patterns of behavior. University students frequently suffer from mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress.Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland.Methods An institution-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 undergraduate health professions students from October to December 2025. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed via the DASS-21, with subscale scores multiplied by two and classified by severity. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association, and statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.Results The prevalences of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland, were 47.6% (95% CI: 42.2-53.2), 49.5% (95% CI: 43.9-55.0), and 55.6% (95% CI: 50.0-61.0), respectively. Depression was associated with academic failure [AOR = 3.73, 95% CI (1.98; 7.01)], poor time management [AOR = 4.46, 95% CI (1.41; 14.17)], lack of supportive friends/family [AOR = 3.43, 95% CI (1.70; 6.92)], drug use [AOR = 3.69, 95% CI (1.14; 11.95)], and diagnosed health conditions [AOR = 2.45, 95% CI (1.20; 4.97)]. Anxiety was associated with academic failure/probation [AOR = 3.91, 95% CI (2.13; 7.18)], lack of supportive friends/family [AOR = 3.78, 95% CI (1.91; 7.48)], and diagnosed health conditions [AOR = 2.82, 95% CI (1.44; 5.55)], whereas being single was protective [AOR=0.34, 95% CI (0.14; 0.82)]. Stress was associated with feeling academically overwhelmed sometimes [AOR = 2.05, 95% CI (1.12; 3.70)], academic failure/probation [AOR = 3.88, 95% CI (1.99; 7.56)], poor time management [AOR = 4.49, 95% CI (1.27; 15.85)], lack of supportive friends/family [AOR = 2.27, 95% CI (1.12; 4.61)], and diagnosed health conditions [AOR = 3.09, 95% CI (1.46; 6.54)], whereas being single was protective [AOR=0.30, 95% CI (0.11; 0.79)].Conclusions This study revealed a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students. Academic failure, poor time management, lack of social support, marital status, health conditions, drug use, and academic challenge stressors were identified as potential correlates in exploratory analyses. Screening students using DASS-21 every semester and establishing peer support programs would reduce mental health challenges and enhance academic performance.
SN - 1471-244X
ER -