Perceived stress among undergraduate medical students: are academic factors responsible?

Prachi Priya; Rajvardhan Narayan; Pragya Sinha; Saket Sonal

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261430

Authors

Prachi Priya Department of Community Medicine, RDJMMCH, Turki, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Rajvardhan Narayan Department of Psychiatry, RDJMMCH, Turki, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Pragya Sinha Department of Community Medicine, RDJMMCH, Turki, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Saket Sonal Department of Medicine, NSMCNH, Bihta, Bihar, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261430

Keywords:

Academics stressors, Depression, Medical students, Stress, Undergraduate

Abstract

Background: Stress is body’s response to physical, mental or emotional pressure. Stress is an inevitable part of our fast‑paced life. Stress has been identified as an important indicator of the overall health. If we talk about students, generally, stressors are derived from academia load, classroom environment, faculty interaction, illness, and emotional concerns outside of the classroom. This might affect their academic performance, health and also make them consider suicide. Hence in order to raise concern, this is our small attempt towards our college students to assess their stress level and to deal further accordingly.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in a medical college at Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Methods like Simple random sampling and systematic random sampling used for sampling purpose and sample size was calculated using formulae n=Z²PQ/D².

Results: The present study finding suggested prevalence of mild stress among 11 (2.6%) moderate stress in 50 (12%) and severe stress in 356 (85.4%). Academic burden was found to be a reason.

Conclusions: Health education activities to be conducted among undergraduates on how to cope with the stress related to academics. Activities (like yoga) should be conducted to encourage students on releasing stress.

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