Assessment Of The Prevalence Of Stress And Its Levels In Students Of A Medical College In Mumbai - A Cross Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT

Background: Stress in medical students is increasing nowadays & leading to untoward incidences. It is necessary to identify the stress levels & its causes at earliest so that early interventional measures can be adopted. This study aimed to find out prevalence of stress in medical students & to compare level of stress in males and females. Methodology: Total 338 medical students were evaluated for the presence of stress and its levels (mild/moderate/severe) using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10).Gender difference for stress levels was compared using student’s ‘t’ test. Reasons for stress were evaluated by a questionnaire. Results: The total prevalence of stress was 57.9% and the prevalence of severe stress was 10.6%. It was found that level of stress was significantly higher (p<0.05) among females (mean=22.60±7.11) as compared to males (mean=20.86±8.05). The main reason for stress in males was found to be academic problems and in females, problems related to hostel. Conclusion: Overall stress prevalence was 57.9%, which is high and thus needs to be addressed. Females have higher stress than males. The main source of stress in females being hostel problems and in males academic problems. Thus, various programs need to be arranged along with counselling to combat this stress.