Mental health and sleep quality among health-care students during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemics in Erode District: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The mental health of medical and paramedical college students is likely to be severely affected by the second wave of COVID-19 pandemics, affecting their learning process. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and level of stress, anxiety, and depression of health-care students living in Erode district, and their sleep quality during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study and it was conducted via Google Form survey completed by students studying health-care-oriented courses such as MBBS and nursing students in Erode district. Results: A total of 318 students had completed data on demography details, sleep quality by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and mental health by Depression Anxiety Stress Scales questionnaires. The prevalence of borderline abnormal depression, anxiety, and stress was 25.5%, 25.2%, and 16%, respectively. The prevalence of poor sleep was 45% and overweight and obese students (P = 0.03) had more poor sleep scores than others. Nursing students had significant depression (P = 0. 03), anxiety (P = 0.04), and stress (P = 0.03) score than others. Conclusion: During the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, there was a significant rise in the incidence of unpleasant feelings and attitudes among health-care students stationed in COVID treatment hospitals, as well as poor overall sleep quality. We hope that this research will lead to an additional investigation into the mental condition of health-care students during public health emergencies. Furthermore, special emphasis must be devoted to improving the sleep quality of health-care students who are constantly exposed to the current viral pandemic due to their profession.

Keywords

• anxiety
• covid-19
• depression
• mental health
• second wave
• sleep quality
• stress