ANXIETY LEVELS DUE TO COVID-19: COMPARISON BETWEEN MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to assess and compare the anxiety levels in undergraduate medical and non-medical students due to COVID-19.
 Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on undergraduate students through the administration of an online survey. A questionnaire consisting of demographic information and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) was completed by 385 participants over a period of three weeks. Chi-squared test was applied on the data which was analyzed by using SPSS Version 25.0.
 Results: Out of 385 participants, 73% of respondents were medical students and 27% were non-medical students. Non-medical students had a higher mean anxiety score of 11.21 ± 5.77 compared to 9.36 ± 5.71 in medical students. 21.7% of medical students experienced severe anxiety, 19.6% experienced moderate anxiety and 38.8% experienced mild anxiety. In non-medical students, 35.6% experienced severe anxiety, 20.2% experienced moderate anxiety and 34.6% experienced mild anxiety. Results of Chi-squared test indicated a significant p-value (0.013) consistent with the high levels of anxiety in medical and non-medical students.
 Conclusion: This study found anxiety levels of non-medical students to be suggestively higher than those of medical students. Anxiety levels in both medial and non-medical students due to COVID-19 were found to be significantly high. Psychological interventions, appropriate strategies and professional and personal support are recommended to improve the mental health of medical and non-medical students. 
 Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19, medical students, non-medical students