Assessment of Mental Health and Well-Being during Covid 19 Pandemic among Moroccan Medical Students

Abstract

Introduction: lockdown was experienced as a source of frustration for those who suffered from it. The purpose of this survey is to assess well-being and psychological impact of lockdown on Moroccan medical students during COVID-19 pandemic. Equipment and methods: This is an observational cross-sectional studyusing a self-questionnaire for medical students in Morocco. The Peri-traumatic Distress Inventory and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellness Scale were integrated into it. Statistical analysis were performed using SPSS software Results: 505 medical students from Morocco participated. Univar ate and multivariateanalysisweredonerevealingseveralsignificantcorrelationsbetween the Warwick-Edinburg BEM score and the Peri-Trauma Distress Inventory and several parameters. Discussion: A non-negligible proportion of medical students are suffering from depression, anxiety, burn-out and more generally, a sense of unease and psychological stress. Anxiety and fear of social distancing drive students to consult social networks. The Warwick-Edinburg BEM score was found to be significantly correlated with the time spent doing sports, creative activities, talking with relatives. Regarding eating habits, confinement is accompanied by negative emotions responsible for food restriction, emotional eating and hyperphagicfits. However, we did not find an increase in the consumption of addictive substances. Conclusion: The novelty of the pandemic, caused by the COVID-19, has a psychological impact on the general population and specifically on medical students. There is a need to remain vigilant about the remote onset of psychological disorder samong medical students in Morocco