Cited by 990Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnoutMental Health Treatment and AccessCOVID-19 and Mental Health

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The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Meta-Analysis

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Tian-Ci Quek, Travis, Wai-San Tam, Wilson, X. Tran, Bach, Zhang, Min, Zhang, Zhisong, Su-Hui Ho, Cyrus, Chun-Man Ho, Roger·2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI 10.3390/ijerph16152735PMC PMC6696211

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Abstract

Anxiety, although as common and arguably as debilitating as depression, has garnered less attention, and is often undetected and undertreated in the general population. Similarly, anxiety among medical students warrants greater attention due to its significant implications. We aimed to study the global prevalence of anxiety among medical students and the associated factors predisposing medical students to anxiety. In February 2019, we carried out a systematic search for cross-sectional studies that examined the prevalence of anxiety among medical students. We computed the aggregate prevalence and pooled odds ratio (OR) using the random-effects model and used meta-regression analyses to explore the sources of heterogeneity. We pooled and analyzed data from sixty-nine studies comprising 40,348 medical students. The global prevalence rate of anxiety among medical students was 33.8% (95% Confidence Interval: 29.2–38.7%). Anxiety was most prevalent among medical students from the Middle East and Asia. Subgroup analyses by gender and year of study found no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anxiety. About one in three medical students globally have anxiety—a prevalence rate which is substantially higher than the general population. Administrators and leaders of medical schools should take the lead in destigmatizing mental illnesses and promoting help-seeking behaviors when students are stressed and anxious. Further research is needed to identify risk factors of anxiety unique to medical students.

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Influencing Factors and Prevalence of Anxiety in Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Influential
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Authors: Tian-Ci Quek, T., Wai-San Tam, W., X. Tran, B., Zhang, M., Zhang, Z., Su-Hui Ho, C., & Chun-Man Ho, R.
Affiliations: Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119007, Singapore
Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119007, Singapore
Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Huaibei Normal University (CN)
Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119007, Singapore
Corresponding author: Zhang, Zhisong
ORCID: Tian-Ci Quek, Travis
Wai-San Tam, Wilson
Zhang, Min
Zhang, Zhisong
Su-Hui Ho, Cyrus
Chun-Man Ho, Roger
Venue: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher: MDPI AG
Published: 2019-07-31
Volume: 16
Issue: 15
Pages: 2735
ISSN: 1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152735
PMC: PMC6696211
OpenAlex: W2965255255
Cited by: 990
References: 136
Citations by year: 2026: 141 · 2025: 130 · 2024: 186 · 2023: 165 · 2022: 174 · 2021: 124 · 2020: 66 · 2019: 3
FWCI: 16.82
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
dx.doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
National University of Singapore (submittedVersion, cc-by)
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders: This study received funding from the National Social Science Fund (General Project of Education) (BBA170063)
Topics: Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
Keywords: anxiety, medical students, prevalence, risk factors, mental health, medical education, help-seeking, stigma, gender differences, year of study
MeSH terms: Anxiety, Humans, Risk Factors, Students, Medical, Global Health, Models, Statistical, Prevalence, Odds Ratio

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The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Meta-Analysis

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