A comparative study to assess mental health literacy, impact of event, depression, anxiety, and stress levels of medical and other students during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is negatively affecting the mental health of medical professionals as well as medical students, as they stand in the frontline. Medical education is recognized as stressful across the globe and in the hour of present crisis, students have to stay back home and continue their studies online. Aims: The aim of the study is to compare the emerging evidence of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health and assess mental health awareness of medical students and other students studying in a Medical College of Eastern India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a period of 3 months after taking Institutional ethical clearance and informed consent of the subjects. 212 medical students and 101 students of other courses studying in the college participated in the study. The present survey was conducted online using Google Forms. In the first section of the form, purpose of the study was explained and informed consent was taken from the participants. In the second part of the form, participants were asked to fill up demographic details and relevant history;in the third part, participants had to fill up three scales Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IRE-R), Mental Health Literacy Scale. Results: There was no significant difference in depression scores between the two groups. Anxiety scores and stress scores were significantly higher among medical students as compared to the other group with P = 0.0017 and 0.008, respectively. Group A Anxiety scores 12.34 +/- 8.5;Stress scores -13.07 +/- 8.01. Group B Anxiety scores 9.34 +/- 7.34;Stress scores -10.55 +/- 7.62. There was no significant difference in mental health literacy scores between the two groups. Mental Health literacy scores of Group A 96.84 +/- 17.29;Mental health literacy score of Group B 99.86 +/- 13.39;P = 0.09. No difference in IRE-R scores between the two groups was observed. Group A Total score -21.81 +/- 14.34;Avoidance scale -9.43 +/- 6.1;intrusion scale 8.58 +/- 5.12;Hyperarousal scale -3.79 +/- 2.94. Group B Total score -20.39 +/- 14.34;Avoidance scale -9.06 +/- 6.5;Intrusion scale -7.84 +/- 5.95;Hyperarousal scale -3.49 +/- 3.21. Conclusions: Mental health literacy scores and impact of event score were similar in medical and other students studying in the same medical institution. Medical students had significantly higher levels of anxiety and stress as compared to the other group, though depression scores of both groups were comparable. Hence, it may be concluded that medical students perceived higher levels of anxiety and stress during the second wave of the present COVID-19 pandemic.