title: Demographic risk factors for suicide and depression among Serbian medical school students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to identify demographic risk factors associated with depression and suicidality among medical school students in Serbia, as well as to determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression and suicide attempts in the student population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study conducted on the sample of 1,296 students recruited from the School of Medicine, University of Belgrade. Following questionnaires were assigned to participating subjects: PHQ-9, Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire, and Social-demographic survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PHQ-9 scores in our sample ranged from 0 to 27, averaging at 6.21 (SD = 4.96). Symptoms of depression were associated with grade point average, age, relationship status, and gender. Reported history of suicide attempts was associated with PHQ-9 scores, grade point average, relationship status, gender, history of mental illness and drug use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that medical school students in Serbia may be considered an "at-risk" population. Preventative programs in the future should target symptoms of depression and should provide students with adequate mechanisms to cope successfully with school-related pressure. Alternative stress management strategies may also be useful, especially for younger students who seem to be at greater risk for depression and suicide.
authors.affiliation: Association for Mental Health Promotion, Belgrade, Serbia, vdmiletic@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Miletic
authors.forename: Jasminka Adzic
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lukovic
authors.forename: Nevena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ratkovic
authors.forename: Danijela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aleksic
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grgurevic
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012577:Schools, Medical; D055771:Serbia; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult