TY - JOUR AU - Alfakeh, Sulhi A. AU - Alghamdi, Khaled Mesfer AU - Hilal, Rawan Mostafa AU - Abdelmoaty, Marwa Mohamed PY - 2021/04/26 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Rates of depression, anxiety, and stress in King Abdulaziz University freshmen, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study JF - Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences JA - J. Contemp. Med. Sci. VL - 7 IS - 2 SE - Articles DO - 10.22317/jcms.v7i2.962 UR - https://www.jocms.org/index.php/jcms/article/view/962 SP - 116-121 AB - <p><strong>Objective: </strong>This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year university students in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We distributed an online survey through to 861 first-year students, aged 17-25, at King Abdulaziz University. The survey used a validated Arabic short version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, and sociodemographic factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 80.4%, 71.8%, and 69.3%, respectively. A plurality showed extremely severe depression and anxiety, and severe stress symptoms. The frequency of exercise was inversely related to depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 8.2% of students had visited a psychiatrist at some point in their lives, and 40.5% of students had suicidal thoughts.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Programs to identify students suffering from mental illness and offer adequate care and support are essential.</p> ER -