Depression and anxiety among provisionally registered pharmacists (PRP): a cross sectional study

Abstract

Introduction:

Presence of psychological morbidity in provisionally registered pharmacist has been reported from various hospitals. Therefore, the presence of anxiety and depression among PRP assessed using AKUADS scale and the association with factors such as age, facilities, gender, race, religion, marital status, financial burden, family history and family were identified.

Objective:

To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among housemen and provisional registered pharmacists, taking different factors into consideration, like age, genders, religion, marital status, family income and family history into account.

Method:

Thirty-six provisionally registered pharmacists throughout Hospital Sarawak recruited through convenient method of sampling. A structured proforma used to assess socio-demographic variables. The Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS) used to assess anxiety and depression.

Results:

In terms of depression and anxiety status, all 36 participants scored 19 or more in AKUAD score which concluded 100% participants with depression and anxiety. Chi-square or Fisher-test cannot be conducted as data heavily secluded thus association between different factors with depression and anxiety cannot be evaluated.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that provisionally registered pharmacist experience anxiety and depression which can influenced by different factors such as age, facilities, gender, race, religion, marital status, financial burden, family history and family. There is a need for the counselling services or other strategic plans to be made available to the provisionally registered pharmacists to control their anxiety and depression.