Mental health of residents during Obstetrics and Gynecology training in Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate mental health of residents during Obstetrics and Gynecology training and identify the factors that affect mental health problems.


METHODS
During January-April 2004, one hundred and sixty Obstetrics and Gynecology residents (62% of 259) had completed a self-administered questionnaire composed of demographic data, workload, self-report of life stressors, and the Thai Mental Health Questionnaire (TMHQ-70).


RESULTS
The prevalence of mental health problems was 29% (46/160). Somatization and social function were found in the first and second rank (18.1% and 11.9%), respectively. A resident who was younger than 25 years old, was married, cared for more than 20 patients per 8 hours in the labor room, performed more than 10 academic activities per year, or attended more than 5 examinations per year was at risk to develop social function problems.


CONCLUSIONS
About one-third of residents training in Obstetrics and Gynecology have faced mental health problems--somatization, social function, depression and anxiety. The significant risk factors associated with social function problems were younger age, marriage and excessive workload
Prasertsiri
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
Suntharasaj
T
T
Pitanupong
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008603:Mental Health; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016526:Workload