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Review
. 2017 Oct-Dec;39(4):369-378.
doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2017-2223. Epub 2017 Aug 31.

Mental health problems among medical students in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis

João P Pacheco  1 , Henrique T Giacomin  1 , Wilson W Tam  2 , Tássia B Ribeiro  1 , Claudia Arab  3 , Italla M Bezerra  1 , Gustavo C Pinasco  1
Affiliations
Review

Mental health problems among medical students in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis

João P Pacheco et al. Braz J Psychiatry. 2017 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To provide a comprehensive picture of mental health problems (MHPs) in Brazilian medical students by documenting their prevalence and association with co-factors.

Methods: We systematically searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and PsycINFO databases for cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of MHPs among medical students in Brazil published before September 29, 2016. We pooled prevalences using a random-effects meta-analysis, and summarized factors associated with MHP.

Results: We included 59 studies in the analysis. For meta-analyses, we identified the summary prevalence of different MHPs, including depression (25 studies, prevalence 30.6%), common mental disorders (13 studies, prevalence 31.5%), burnout (three studies, prevalence 13.1%), problematic alcohol use (three studies, prevalence 32.9%), stress (six studies, prevalence 49.9%), low sleep quality (four studies, prevalence 51.5%), excessive daytime sleepiness (four studies, prevalence 46.1%), and anxiety (six studies, prevalence 32.9%). Signs of lack of motivation, emotional support, and academic overload correlated with MHPs.

Conclusion: Several MHPs are highly prevalent among future physicians in Brazil. Evidence-based interventions and psychosocial support are needed to promote mental health among Brazilian medical students.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow diagram of study inclusion.
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