Prevalence and Determinants of Psychological Distress Among Medical Interns in Bangladesh: A Cross-Institutional Study

Background: Medical internship is a period of intense stress. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and identify associated sociodemographic and work-related determinants among medical interns in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2024 among 150 medical interns from one public (Dhaka Medical College Hospital, n=100) and two private medical colleges (Ibrahim Medical College, n=25; Bangladesh Medical College, n=25) in Dhaka. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating sociodemographic details, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) for psychological distress (using a bimodal scoring of 0-0-1-1; cut-off ≥4 for distress), and a custom scale assessing stressors like career uncertainty, academic pressure, financial concerns, and workload (responses on a 5-point Likert scale, with scores ≥4 considered 'high stress'). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for analysis, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 25.8 ± 1.4 years; 60% (n=90) were female. Overall, 47.3% (n=71) of interns reported psychological distress (GHQ-12 score ≥4). Severe distress (GHQ-12 score 10-12) was found in 8.7% (n=13) of interns. No statistically significant difference in overall distress prevalence was found between government (48%) and private institutions (46%) (p=0.841). Key stressors reported as 'high' included: workload (males: 85%, females: 81%), financial concerns (males: 70%, females: 54%), academic stress (males: 66%, females: 59%), and career uncertainty (males: 61%, females: 47%). Males reported significantly higher financial stress (χ²=4.56, p=0.033). Conclusion: A substantial proportion of medical interns in Dhaka experience psychological distress, with workload and financial concerns being prominent stressors. While institutional type did not significantly alter overall distress rates, gender differences in specific stressors, particularly financial concerns, were evident. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health support, workload regulation, and financial guidance for medical interns in Bangladesh.