To study impact of stress on education and health profile of newly admitted medical students in a medical college of Eastern India

Abstract

Background: Medical education is inherently stressful and emotionally demanding training. Objectives: The objective was to assess the stress levels, its causes, and impact on health and education on first MBBS students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional pilot project was conducted in a Medical College in Eastern India during a time span of 2 months, after receiving approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee and informed consent from the subjects. One hundred and fifty MBBS students in the age group of 18–20 years under stress were chosen for the study. Stress level was assessed according to the Presumptive Life Event Stress Scale (PSLES) and categorized into two groups: 41–200: less/moderate stress; more than 200: severe stress. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) of Sheldon Cohen was also used. Scores around 13 were considered as average. Scores of 20 or higher were considered high stress. Baseline anthropometric measurements were done; body mass index and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Resting pulse rate and blood pressure were measured. The results of internal assessment examinations conducted in this time period were recorded. The computer software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 was used for analysis of the data. Results: A total of 30 subjects had moderate PSLES scores (167.25 ± 26.67); 120 had high scores (373.86 ± 149.21; P < 0.000). We found statistically significant higher heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, WHR, and PSS scores (22.05 ± 5.02 vs. 19.25 ± 4.21; P 0.003) in subjects having high PSLES scores. No significant effect of stress scores were observed on systolic blood pressure. Examination results were significantly worse in the highly stressed group (64.3 ± 10.8 vs. 69.1 ± 9.6; P 0.019) as compared to subjects having moderate stress. Conclusions: These results indicated a negative impact of stress on health and education among MBBS students.