Prevalence and Predictors of Depression Among First-Year Medical Students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Depression is a common mental health issue among medical students worldwide, particularly during the first year of training, when students face academic, social, and psychological pressures. Despite increasing concern, limited evidence exists on the prevalence and predictors of depression among first-year medical students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2024 and January 2025 using an online self-administered questionnaire. A total of 435 first-year medical students participated. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics were collected. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 27, and ordinal logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of depression severity. Results Overall, 59.2% of students reported some level of depression, with 24.1% experiencing moderate symptoms and 23.9% severe depression. Male students had significantly higher odds of severe depression compared with females (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.02–2.17, p = 0.038). Energy drink consumption showed a protective association (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45–0.98, p = 0.039). Exercise showed a non-significant protective trend, while socioeconomic status, academic performance, sleep, social support, and life events were not significantly associated with depression severity. Conclusion Depression is highly prevalent among first-year medical students in the Kurdistan Region, with nearly half of cases falling within the moderate-to-severe range. Male gender emerged as a key risk factor, while some lifestyle behaviors showed protective effects. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, preventive strategies, and institutional support during the early stages of medical education.