Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms among Medical Graduates in Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study

Background Mental health problems among healthcare professionals are a major public health concern, often driven by heavy workloads, stressful environments, low remuneration, limited collegial support, and insufficient time for academic activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified these challenges. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among Bangladeshi medical graduates and to identify associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 209 medical graduates in Bangladesh from January to May 2022. Data were collected using a structured electronic questionnaire distributed via Facebook, WhatsApp, and Gmail. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the DASS-21 scale. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors. Results The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms was 79.4%, 69.4%, and 77.0%, respectively. Depression was significantly associated with female sex, living away from family, reduced working hours, higher income, payment satisfaction, and smoking habits. Anxiety was associated with younger age, while stress was linked to female sex and payment dissatisfaction. Conclusions A high prevalence of symptoms indicates the need for interventions, including fair remuneration, effective workload management, and access to mental health services.