Severe Stress among Medical Students of Two Medical Colleges: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health problems are common in medical students and there is a high prevalence of psychological morbidity among them. The inability to use effective coping strategies affects the health and academic performance of students. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of severe stress among medical students of two medical colleges. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduates of two medical colleges from 14 September to 14 October 2021. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 0609202109). Three hundred fifteen students were selected for the study using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess the level of stress and the Brief Cope Inventory scale was used to assess the coping strategies employed by students during stress. Point estimate and 95% confidence interval was calculated. Results: Among 315 medical students, severe stress was found in 39 (12.38%) (8.76-16.04, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of severe stress among medical students was higher when compared to similar studies done in similar settings.

Keywords

• coping strategies; medical students; psychological stress.