IJCM_7A: Anxiety and Insomnia among the Medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mangalore

Abstract

Background: Interrupted classes which gradually shifted to online mode isolating students from their friends during the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health status of the medical students. Objective: To assess the mental health outcomes among the health science students in Mangalore and the factors associated with these outcomes. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 295 health science students of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. The sample size was calculated based on a study from Morocco, where 62.3% of the medical students experienced anxiety-related symptoms. Anxiety was assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Insomnia using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The questionnaire was prepared in google forms and a link was generated which was disseminated to the students via social media platforms. Results: A higher proportion (n=179, 60.7%) of the participants in our study were females. In our study, 59% (n=173) of the participants had symptoms related to insomnia and 66% of the participants had anxiety-related symptoms. A higher proportion of participants who had anxiety-related symptoms were younger than 20 years of age, were females, belonged to MBBS course, and were not living with their family. However, none of the factors were found to be statistically significant. (P>0.05) Conclusion: The mental health status of the participants in our study was poor with the majority of the participants reporting symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.