Study on Prevalence of Stress in Medical Students
Author(s): Kakoli Ghosal, Abhiram Behera
Abstract
Introduction: Stress is defined as a state of psychological and physiological imbalance resulting from the disparity between situational demand and the individual’s ability and motivation to meet those needs. It is an innate response of the body that may be physical, mental or emotional to an unforeseen event that occurs in the life of an individual. Students of all professional courses are under stress amongst which medical curriculum is rated as 2nd most stressful after dental. To assess the level of stress, this study was conducted in 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students of Terna Medical College, Navi Mumbai, India.
Aims and Objectives: Study was conducted in medical students of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year to assess the prevalence and degree of stress in 6 different domains. Difference in the levels of stress amongst boys and girls has also been studied.
Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in students of Terna Medical College in November-December 2015, using the Medical Students Stress Questionnaire (MSSQ). Informed consent of students was taken. Filled proformas were taken up for analysis.
Statistics: Kruskal-Wallis test was used to find out the difference of stress amongst 1st, 2nd and 3rd year medical students in all 6 domains. Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test was used to find out the difference of stress amongst boys and girls of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year.
Results: Analysis revealed that in 1st, 2nd and 3rd year medical students, Academic Related Stress was of moderate degree with highest level in 2nd year. Result is statistically significant. Academic Related Stress is more in girls and is also of moderate degree.
Conclusion: Students of Terna Medical College are having a healthy stress level with moderate degree of Academic Related Stress, which is required to facilitate learning
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