Web-based survey of depression, anxiety and stress in first-year tertiary education students in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
The mental health of tertiary education students is an area of increasing concern worldwide. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in first-year tertiary education students in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Depression, anxiety and stress were measured by the 42-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, completed on the web by participating students anonymously.


RESULTS
A total of 7915 students completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 27.5%. Depression, anxiety and stress levels of moderate severity or above were found in 21%, 41% and 27% of our respondents, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The web-based survey methodology was well accepted by our sample group of tertiary education students. We found high rates of psychological morbidity in first-year tertiary education students in Hong Kong. The high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in the first year of college life is alarming. It illustrates the need for primary and secondary prevention measures, with development of adequate and appropriate support services for this group.
Wong
Josephine G W S
JG
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. jgwswong@hku.hk
Cheung
Erik P T
EP
Chan
Kitty K C
KK
Ma
Kamela K M
KK
Tang
Siu Wa
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data