Effect of Examination Stress On Haematological And Haemodynamic Parameters In Students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stress can reduce the efficiency of healthy individuals as has been shown in most of the physiological studies.
 OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of examination stress on haematological and haemodynamic parameters in higher secondary school students.
 METHODS: The present study was carried out at Government Higher Secondary School, Jammu. Fifty healthy students between the age group of 16 to 19 years were selected for the study. Haemodynamic parameters recorded were pulse and blood pressure. Haematological parameters estimated were RBC, WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil, platelet, monocyte, lymphocyte and basophil count. The first sample of blood was collected under aseptic conditions between 8 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., three months prior to the final academic examination and the second sample was collected from the same subjects on the day of practical and oral part of examination.
 RESULTS: Pre-examination CBC showed WBC, Neutrophil, Eosinophil and monocyte of 8221.9 ± 416.69, 5140.7 ± 471.34, 185.46 ± 58.18, 273784 ± 36034.23, 244.7 ± 82.90, 2657.78 ± 212.92 and 21.1 ± 5.14 per mm3 respectively. Whileas during examination counts were 8191.86 ± 417.45, 5229.48 ± 478.07, 161.46 ± 68.05, 285567.26 ± 33641.45, 228.32 ± 90.85, 2562.9 ± 220.00 and 13.78 ± 5.58 per mm3 respectively. Compared with pre-examination results, the blood samples taken during exams showed a significant decrease in eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte and monocyte count. An increase in platelet and neutrophil count was also observed. No significant changes were observed in RBC count.
 CONCLUSION: It is concluded that academic examinations in secondary school are stressful enough to produce changes in blood cell parameters. JMS 2012;15(2):153-56