A Cross-Sectional Study on Dementia Awareness and Depression among Medical Students at Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College, Pakistan

Background: Dementia awareness among medical students is often limited, and many of them face mental health challenges, particularly depression. These factors can influence their ability to provide quality care and impact their well-being during and after medical school.
Objective: This study aimed to assess how much medical students know about dementia, understand how many of them experience depression, and explore whether these two factors are connected.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College, Karachi, between January and March 2023. A total of 256 students participated by completing an online questionnaire, which covered demographics, their knowledge of dementia (using the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale - DKAS), and their mental health status (using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9). The data was analyzed statistically to identify trends and relationships.
Results: Nearly half of the students (42.5%) had insufficient knowledge about dementia, scoring an average of 28.7 (±6.2) on the DKAS. Depression was another major concern, with 33.1% of participants reporting moderate-to-severe symptoms. Interestingly, students who were more aware of dementia tended to report fewer depressive symptoms (p = 0.002). Female students and those in the early years of medical school were more likely to struggle with both depression and limited dementia awareness.
Conclusion: The findings reveal a need for better dementia education and stronger mental health support for medical students. Improving their knowledge and providing resources to manage stress could benefit both their future clinical practice and their personal well-being.

Dementia awareness, medical students, depression, mental health, education gaps, early onset dementia.