ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING IN GEORGIA

Background & objectives:Existence of anxiety and depression among students has growing tendency in the world. Purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among international medical students studying in Georgia and their association with the body weight and blood pressure level. Methods: 70 international medical students (mean age±SD 22.67±2.65) were included in the study. All participantsfilled in anonymous questionnaires, which included socio-demographic data, blood pressure level, presence of diabetes mellitus, eating habits and body mass index (BMI). For an assessment of anxiety and depression was used Hospital Scale of Anxiety and Depression. Results:In comparison with hypertensive or prehypertensive population, normotensive subjects had significantly lower depression and anxiety scores (P<0.001 for both). Hypertensive students had higher anxiety score than prehypertensive individuals (P=0.03). Therefore, depression score was not different between hypertensive and prehypertensive subjects. Study showed a positive correlation between blood pressure, BMI, depression and anxiety scores (P<0.005). Interpretation and conclusion: High prevalence of depression, anxiety, prehypertension, non-healthy eating habits and lifestyle among international medical students points out on the need to identify and treat mental health problems as early as possible to prevent possible serious sequelae. Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression among International Students Studying in Georgia Ann Rekhviashvili MD, PhD.1, Tamar Kandashvili MD, PhD.2, Tamar Giorgobiani3, David Gordeladze MD, PhD.4 1. Affiliation: Associate Professor and Chief of the Internal Medicine Department at the PetreShotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy. Chief of the Arterial Hypertension and Vascular Study Center at the Al. Aladashvili Clinical Hospital. Tbilisi, Georgia. 2. Affiliation: Associate Professor at the Tbilisi State Medical University. Tbilisi, Georgia 3. Affiliation: Assistant Professor at the Tbilisi State Medical University. Tbilisi, Georgia 4. Affiliation: Professor, Chief of the 3rd Department of Internal Medicine at the Tbilisi State Medical University. Tbilisi, Georgia.