Dataset Information

Increased mental stress among undergraduate medical students in south-western Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily life and academic trajectory of many students. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on perceived stress levels among medical students.

Methods

Comparative pre-pandemic and pandemic surveys were conducted among samples of undergraduate medical students. Students responded to a questionnaire including personal and academic data, and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Results

Overall, the prevalence of high perceived stress during the pandemic (20.6%) was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than pre-pandemic (11.6%). A multivariable analysis revealed that the independent factors associated with high perceived stress were: participation in the study during the pandemic (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.22-2.63), female sex (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23-2.47), younger age (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.04-2.55) and lower family income (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.12-2.03). PSS score was negatively correlated with increasing age, family income, and academic level. PSS score was positively correlated with: worries about the possible disruption of education or exams, excessive news exposure, worries about the possibility of COVID-19 infection, and the effects of mandatory isolation and social distancing.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the level of stress among medical students. Female students, younger students, and those in lower academic grades are the most at risk of having high stress. Worries about possible academic disruptions due to the pandemic are significant stressors. The implementation of online stress management programs is recommended.

SUBMITTER: Awadalla NJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9387517 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Increased mental stress among undergraduate medical students in south-western Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awadalla Nabil J NJ Alsabaani Abdullah A AA Alsaleem Mohammed A MA Alsaleem Safar A SA Alshaikh Ayoub A AA Al-Fifi Suliman H SH Mahfouz Ahmed A AA

PeerJ 20220815

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily life and academic trajectory of many students. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on perceived stress levels among medical students.<h4>Methods</h4>Comparative pre-pandemic and pandemic surveys were conducted among samples of undergraduate medical students. Students responded to a questionnaire including personal and academic data, and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).<h4>Results</h4>Overal ...[more]

PMID: 35990907

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Dataset Information

Increased mental stress among undergraduate medical students in south-western Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Increased mental stress among undergraduate medical students in south-western Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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