Prevalence and Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Among Pharmacy Students: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Analysis

Hana A. Smeda; Al-Zobair A. Hamouda; Saleh A. Alsaid; Ziead E. Sarkez

doi:10.26629/uzjms.2025.06

Authors

Hana A. Smeda Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zawia, Zawia, Libya. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3543-2845
Al-Zobair A. Hamouda Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zawia, Zawia, Libya. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2933-240X
Saleh A. Alsaid Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zawia, Zawia, Libya. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9663-1322
Ziead E. Sarkez Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zawia, Zawia, Libya. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6157-8172

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26629/uzjms.2025.06

Keywords:

Anxiety; Depression; Libya; Pharmacy Students.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and identify associated factors among undergraduate pharmacy students at a university in Zawia, Libya.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2025 among 342 pharmacy students. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales, respectively. Sociodemographic, academic, and lifestyle data were collected. Associations were analyzed using non-parametric tests, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Results: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms was 67.0%, while moderate-to-severe anxiety affected 60.6% of participants. Regression analysis identified that better academic performance (β = -0.805; P = 0.008), engagement in physical activity (β = -1.438; P = 0.048), and better sleep quality (β = -1.846; P <0.001) were significant independent predictors of lower depression scores, explaining 20.9% of the variance. For anxiety, sleep quality was the only significant predictor in the regression model (β = -1.399; P <0.001), explaining 17.5% of the variance.

Conclusions: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among pharmacy students in Libya, sleep quality was a key modifiable predictor for both conditions. Interventions focused on improving sleep hygiene, promoting physical activity, and providing academic support could help mitigate psychological distress in this population.