RESUMO
Background: High levels of anxiety have been previously reported among medical students. Medical students confront various stressors throughout their training as academic and psychosocial stressors which may be reflected on their health
Objectives: To study the effect of life style and the medical study on anxiety among medical students, and describe methods of coping with anxiety
Methods: One thousand and thirty four students from different grades in the Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams University were included in this cross-sectional study. A self administered questionnaire collected information about sociodemographic factors, smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and psychoactive substance use among students. Medical study system; as exams, private lessons, and ways of spending leisure time during vacation were inquired as well as midday nap and eating habits
Results: Coffee drinking, eating more than usual, taking hypnotics and CNS stimulants were significantly higher among students with anxiety. Students suffering from anxiety reported spending their vacation in studying more than others [79.3%, 69.9% respectively, P=0.001] and practicing sports during vacation less than others [43.4%, 54.7% respectively, P=0.001]. Students with severe grades of anxiety practiced sports less frequent [28.8%] than those with less severe grades [46.7%] [P=0.001], reported more alcohol consumption [5.7%, 1.3%, P=0.01]. Student's perception of unfair exams in the evaluation system was highly reported by students with less severe grades of anxiety [55.8%, 38.7% respectively, P=0.001]. Also those who didn't desire medical study initially were more among students with less severe grades of anxiety [84.7%, 73.9% respectively, P=0.005]. Inability to study was significantly more frequent among students with anxiety than those without [69.2%, 29%, P=0.000], and was more in those with severe grades of anxiety [48.3%, 26.4% respectively, P=0.000], an increase in body weight was more reported by students with anxiety. Reading Koran and praying [37%] were the major ways of coping with stress among students; followed by crying [20.1%], sleep and relaxation [12.5%] and others. In conclusion, the most important risk factors for anxiety found in this study were spending vacation in studying instead of practicing sports, consumption of caffeine and using hypnotics and CNS stimulants. Additionally, approximately one third of anxious students pray and read Koran as an adopting strategy to cope with stress