Students' happiness and ranking of its dimensions in Mazandaran University of Science and Technology during the COVID-19 crisis.

BACKGROUND: Happiness and life satisfaction are positive indicators of mental health that should be considered by higher education and health officials. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of happiness and life satisfaction in students of Mazandaran University of Science and Technology during the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is practical in terms of purpose and descriptive survey in terms of nature. The statistical population of this research was 2500 people. A total of 333 samples were selected by stratified random sampling. Data collection was performed using the standard Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and data analysis was performed by Friedman test, mean, and ranking. RESULTS: All dimensions of happiness of students of Mazandaran University of Science and Technology at the time of the outbreak of COVID-19 were in a relatively favorable situation. The dimensions of happiness were positive mood (3.57), positive energy (3.56), satisfaction (3.02), self-esteem (2.80), and life satisfaction (2.04). There was a significant difference between the dimensions of happiness and the variables of family income status (students with better financial status had a higher average), field of study (civil engineering students had a higher average), and gender (women had a higher average). No significant difference was found among the variables of marriage, educational level, semester, or rank in terms of several family children, with the dimensions of happiness. CONCLUSION: Examining the dimensions of students' happiness during the COVID-19 crisis will help the officials of the higher education system, in addition to planning to maintain the personal health and safety of students and curriculum appropriate to the time of crisis, and implement appropriate programs to maintain and promote the mental health and happiness of students.

Perceived challenges and barriers for medical students in the COVID-19 crisis.

BACKGROUND: Unpredictable and immediate changes, especially in the clinical and practical fields of medical sciences following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, have posed many challenges for medical students. This study was conducted to identify the experiences and students' understanding of the challenges in the COVID-19 crisis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present qualitative research was conducted by performing semi-structured interviews with the students along with holding a student panel. The study population consisted of 30 clinical and basic medical students of Babol, Iran and Kermanshah universities of medical sciences who were selected by purposive sampling method. Data were collected based on students' perceived experiences of challenges, obstacles, and problems in the COVID-19 crisis. The data analysis process was performed by conducting interviews and information obtained from the panel using v10 R150410 software. Finally, the related factors and components were identified. RESULTS: Challenges and perceived obstacles of medical students in the COVID-19 crisis were identified in the form of eight factors including student life factors, interaction and communication, psychological factors, educational technology, factors related to the professors, limitations of educational and research planning, crisis management, and educational evaluation. CONCLUSION: Identifying the challenges of medical education perceived by students in this study and adopting appropriate strategies to overcome existing barriers open new opportunities for expanding the scope of the curriculum, providing education, and promoting community health to universities; moreover, the challenges of medical education and any skill-based discipline, such as medical sciences in the COVID-19 pandemic will require much attention and investigation in cognitive sciences.