Demographic Gradients of Mental Health in University Students: A Study of Medical Interns in Iran

Background: The mental health status of medical students is not optimistic. Understanding the factors associated with their poor mental health can contribute to alleviating this condition. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the mental health status of medical interns and its associated demographic and personal traits. Methods: From 2020 to 2021, 358 interns were enrolled in the study. Goldberg's general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used to assess their mental health, with scores ≥ 24 indicating poor mental health. Factors associated with GHQ scores were determined using multivariable regression. Results: Among the study population (age: 25.43 ± 2.31, 49.4% males), GHQ mean score was 30.09 ± 14.44, and 61.7% of interns had GHQ ≥ 24. Female gender (adjusted-OR: 1.78, P: 0.015), low hope for career prospects (adjusted-OR: 4.09, P: 0.001), and low and medium personal life satisfaction (adjusted-OR: 10.94, P < 0.001; adjusted-OR: 2.55, P: 0.001, respectively) significantly increased the risk of having poor mental health. Conclusions: In Iran, more than half of medical interns are not enjoying desirable mental health. Female students are more prone to being mentally unhealthy. Furthermore, lower hope and personal life satisfaction levels negatively affect students' mental health. Related university officials should identify the causes and develop effective preventive and therapeutic mental health services for interns. Female students should be the priority group.