High Prevalence Of Stress Research Articles

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Its Association With Anxiety and Depression Among Nurses in the Al-Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder frequently associated with psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Given the high-stress work environments of nurses and the lack of studies on this topic in the Al-Qassim region, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of IBS and its association with anxiety and depression among nurses in this area of Saudi Arabia. The research hypothesis was that nurses with IBS would report higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to those without IBS. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 96 nurses working at King Fahd Specialty Hospital (KFSH) in the Al-Qassim region. Nurses were selected using systematic sampling, with a total sample size initially calculated to be 189, but only 96 participated. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic information and psychological assessments based on the Rome III criteria for IBS diagnosis and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) to measure psychological distress. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results In a sample of 96 nurses, the prevalence of IBS was found to be 19.8%, indicating a notable presence within this population. The majority of participants were female. No significant associations were observed between IBS and demographic or lifestyle factors. However, a higher prevalence of IBS was noted among nurses with more than 10 years of experience (27.3%, n=21) compared to those with less experience (10.5%, n=two), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.126). This study also revealed a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression in the nurse population. Moreover, nurses diagnosed with IBS reported significantly higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety compared to their counterparts without IBS (all p-values < 0.05). Conclusion There was a high prevalence of IBS among nurses, particularly those with higher levels of psychological distress. This study highlights the importance of developing targeted mental health interventions for nurses. However, the small sample size and cross-sectional design limit the generalizability and causality of the findings. Future studies should include larger, more diverse samples, and longitudinal designs to further explore these associations.

Prevalence and Correlates of High Stress and Low Resilience among Teachers in Three Canadian Provinces.

Objective: High stress levels can be problematic for teachers and indirectly affect students. Resilience may be a protective factor for overcoming stress. Knowledge about the prevalence and correlates of high stress and low resilience will provide information about the extent of the problem among teachers in Canada. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among teachers in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Participants self-subscribed to the Wellness4Teachers supportive text messaging program and completed the online survey on enrollment. Baseline data collection occurred from 1 September 2022 to 30 August 2023. Resilience and stress were, respectively, assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The data were analyzed with SPSS version 28 using chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 1912 teachers subscribed to the Wellness4Teachers program, and 810 completed the baseline survey, yielding a response rate of 42.40%. Most of the participants, 87.8%, were female, and 12.2% were aged 18 to 61 and above. The prevalence of low resilience was 40.1%, and high stress had a prevalence of 26.3%. After controlling for all the other variables in the logistic regression model, participants with low resilience were 3.10 times more likely to experience high-stress symptoms than those with normal to high resilience (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.18-4.41). Conversely, participants who reported high stress were 3.13 times more likely to have low resilience than those with low to moderate stress (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 2.20-4.44). Additionally, junior and senior high school teachers were, respectively, 2.30 times (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.25-4.23) and 2.12 times (OR = 2,12; 95% CI: 1.08-4.18) more likely to have low resilience compared to elementary school teachers. Conclusions: Our study findings suggest a high prevalence of stress and low resilience among teachers in the three Canadian provinces. Administrators, policymakers in the educational field, school boards, and governments should integrate stress management and resilience-building strategies into teachers' training and continuing professional development programs.

Optimism and mental health in college students: the mediating role of sleep quality and stress.

College students showed a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression, with medical and nursing students experiencing particularly elevated levels of mental health challenges.Optimism significantly influences overall well-being by promoting a healthy lifestyle and cognitive responses. However, the association of optimism with sleep quality, stress, and mental health in college students remains unexplored. This study aimed to (1) explore the associations of optimism with sleep quality, stress, and mental health and (2) ascertain whether sleep quality and stress mediate the association between optimism and mental health among college students. A cross-sectional study was conducted using online surveys with students from health science majors at a public university in the northeast United States from September to December 2022. A total of 222 students participated in the study, providing data on sociodemographics, optimism, sleep quality, stress, anxiety, and depression. Parallel and serial mediation models were utilized to examine the potential mediating roles of sleep quality and stress in the association between optimism and mental health. The study found that optimism influences anxiety and depression through both direct and indirect pathways. In line with predictions, the parallel mediation analysis revealed that the impact of optimism on anxiety (βtotal = -0.598, 95% confident interval [CI]: -0.778 to -0.392) and depression (βtotal = -0.724, 95% CI: -0.919 to -0.519) was mediated by stress and sleep quality. Furthermore, the serial mediation models revealed that stress and sleep quality co-mediated the relationship betweenoptimism and anxiety (indirect effect [IE] = -0.074, 95% CI: -0.135 to -0.029) or depression (IE = -0.084, 95% CI: -0.142 to -0.036) in a sequential manner. Optimism was negatively correlated with poor sleep quality, stress, anxiety, and depression. Enhanced optimism was linked to high sleep quality and less stress, anxiety, and depression. These insights emphasize the potential for school-based optimism interventions to improve sleep quality, ameliorate stress-related concerns, and alleviate mental health challenges in college students.

STRESS FACTORS OF NURSES IN COVID DEPARTMENTS

Objective:To define the stressors that cause the highest level of stress in nurses / technicians in COVID intensive care units (ICU) and regular COVID departments and to compare stressors between these two departments.Methods:For the purposes of the research, a validated questionnaire on stressors at the workplace of hospital health workers was used. The questionnaires were distributed to 194 nurses/technicians, working in the COVID departments. Thequestionnaire consists of 3 parts; the first part contains demographic data of the respondents, the second part of the questionnaire consists of 34 questions that describe certain stress factors and are answers are offered on a Likert -type scale and the last part of the questionnaire consists of 3 open-ended questionsto which respondents can add stressors to which they are exposed, which were not previously mentioned.Results: Differences were found in the level of education regarding the length of work with COVID patients, nurses / technicians with a higher level of education worked longer in the COVID department (p=0.043). No differences were found in the level of stress between nurses/technicians working in the COVID department compared to the COVID ICU (p=0.181). Among the factors that caused the highest level of stress are: work overload, inadequate personal income, insufficient number of employees and everyday unpredictable and unplanned situations.Conclusion:Our results indicate that there is no difference in the level of stress between nurses working in the COVID departments compared to nurses working in the COVID ICU. Due to the high prevalence of stress among nurses who work with COVID patients, it is necessary to monitor the symptoms of burnout and provide support in the workplace. According to the results of our research, there is a need to optimize working conditions and invest efforts in order to reduce the workload.Keywords:stress, nurses, COVID, departments

Prevalence of Stress Level in Physiotherapy Professors in Gujarat - An Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapist as a professional, is impacting professionally and personally. Due to job instability and job viability especially for private practitioners which affecting psychological status. AIM: The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of stress level in physiotherapy professors in Gujarat METHOD: The observational study was carried out among 103 physiotherapy professors. In which 69 female and 34 male who had willingness to participate in the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Written consent was taken by individuals. The participants filled a Google self-designed, close-ended questionnaire of PSS (10 items) which was circulated via WhatsApp in different physiotherapy groups. Descriptive analysis was done using Microsoft excel. RESULT: 8.73% high stress,72.81% moderate stress,18.45% low stress found in physiotherapy professors. In this study 67.94% stress found in assistant professors,28.15% in associate professors and 3.88% in Principle. CONCLUSION: So, this study concluded that high prevalence of stress is found in Assistant Professors, moderate prevalence in Associate Professors and low prevalence in Principal. Study also depicting female perceiving high stress rather male. Keywords: Stress, Physiotherapy, Professor, Gujarat

Impact of the Proposed Closure of the NHS Practitioner Mental Health Programme for Doctors and Managers in Secondary Care

To reduce its financial deficit, NHS England decided to cull the funding of the Practitioner Health Programme (PHP), which has been providing confidential mental health services to 110,000 NHS doctors/ senior managers since 2011. This decision was announced when NHS doctors were in a dispute over pay and conditions, AND coincided with increasing prevalence of mental illness, stress and burnout. This decision raised concerns among doctors' unions, medical royal colleges, and doctors through social media. An open letter asked the Health Secretary to reconsider this decision. Access to primary care doctors was maintained. What appears not to have been considered is that around 50,000 junior doctors, including locally employed doctors and international medical graduates who are in short-term contracts or rotational attachments, are unlikely to meet the waiting time for such ‘secondary care OH services’. In addition, the elephant in the room of a massive challenge of the professional stigma that prevents doctors from accessing mental health support early seems to have been missed. This editorial briefly explores the causes of a high prevalence of stress and work-related mental illness amongst HCPs, the consequences on their overall health, employing organisations and their patients.

Impact of Emotional Intelligence on the Well-being of Teachers and Students

Studies from across the world have reported a high prevalence of stress across all spheres of life and the field of higher education is no exception. The United Nations has given impetus to the well-being of people by incorporating the same in its sustainable development goals. The discussion on well-being can never be complete without a mention of emotional intelligence, a key skill in managing emotions, which in turn leads to well-being. The new normal is presently witnessing the key stakeholders of higher education, namely teachers and students adjusting themselves to the transition from online to hybrid classes. Research studies have reported a high prevalence of stress among teachers and students. With this background, this study examines the association between emotional intelligence and well-being among teachers and students. The sample for the study included 100 teachers and 100 students from Government and private colleges in South India. Emotional Intelligence was measured using "DeepaKrishnaveni Emotional Intelligence Test", developed for adults in the Indian context. Well-being was assessed using the "General Well-being Scale", which measures the 6 facets of well-being. The study found a significant association between emotional intelligence and well-being. It has implications for developing the emotional intelligence competencies of both teachers and students, thereby promoting their well-being.

Investigating the Prevalence of Stress and its Relationship with Sleep Quality in University Students: A Study in Iran

Introduction: Students are willing to cut back on sleep in order to adapt and cope with their stressful work load and environment. This study examines the prevalence of stress and its relationship with sleep quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using available sampling of male and female students of the Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz in 2022. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire was used to measure sleep quality and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale Questionnaire was used to measure stress. Results: The prevalence of all levels of stress among students was 53.2% (140 people). 61 people (23.2%) experienced mild stress, 35 students (13.3%) experienced moderate stress, and 44 students (16.7%) experienced severe stress. The average score of Kessler's psychological distress (K10) of the participants was 21.9 ± 7.3 (maximum = 50). No significant relationship was observed between stress and gender (p=0.25) and academic year (p=0.72). There was a statistically significant relationship between sleep quality and stress (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: This study reports the high prevalence of stress and poor sleep quality in students of Ahvaz College of Nursing and Midwifery. This study shows a strong connection between sleep quality and stress.

ASSESSMENT OF WORKPLACE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY NURSES WORKING IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Occupational stress among nurses in government hospitals is a significant concern, impacting individual well-being and patient care quality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of stress and its contributing factors among nurses in three government hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of stress among nurses in government hospitals and identify the factors contributing to their stress levels. A cross-sectional study involved 400 nurses from tertiary care Hospital. Demographic and workplace data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and stress levels were assessed using the Modified Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS). Most participants were female (70%) and aged between 25 and 35 (55%). Sixty per cent of nurses held a Bachelor's degree, and 40% had a diploma in nursing. Heavy workload was the most common stressor reported (70%), followed by long working hours (60%) and poor working relationships (45%). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that female nurses were 1.5 times more likely to experience stress than males (p &lt; 0.05). Nurses working more than 40 hours per week had a 1.3 times higher likelihood of experiencing stress (p &lt; 0.05), and those with less than six years of job experience were 1.8 times more likely to report stress (p &lt; 0.05). The study highlights a high prevalence of stress among nurses in government hospitals, primarily attributed to heavy workloads, long working hours, and poor working relationships. Addressing these factors through targeted interventions is crucial to improving the well-being of nurses and enhancing patient care quality.

Association of stress and sleep quality among the health sciences students: An analytical study

Background: Stress termed as a state of both mental and physical tension and sleep quality defined as how well an individual sleeps, stress and sleep quality regarded as significant physical and mental health determinants. Objectives: To determine frequency of stress and sleep quality and to determine association between stress and sleep quality among health sciences students of Sialkot. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted after ethical approval on a sample of 264 students in Sialkot. A convenient sampling approach was utilized. The sample was gathered from private medical colleges of Sialkot having undergraduate health sciences students. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was employed to assess the levels of stress in students and Pittsburg sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used for student's sleep quality. The Data was analyzed through SPSS software, version 22. Chi-square test was used (p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant). Results: Study comprised of 264 undergraduates having a mean age of 20.82±1.34 including 224 (84.4%) females and 40 (15.2%) males. Study showed high prevalence of stress and poor sleep quality with statistically significant association (p=0.027). Majority of students were experiencing poor sleep quality 232 (87.9%). 15 (5.7%) participants had low stress, 191 (72.3%) students were at the level of moderate stress and 58 (22%) were at severe stress level due to bad sleep quality. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was high frequency of stress and poor sleep quality with significant association between stress and sleep quality but no significant association with demographics in targeted health sciences undergraduate students in Sialkot.

Identifying strategies for stress self-management of pharmacy students at Nguyen Tat Thanh University

Background:Stress in health science has been studied extensively. Pharmacy students have higher prevalence of stress than other health profession students. Stress has detrimental effects on students’ health and their academic performance. Coping strategies are specific efforts that individuals employ to manage stress. Objectives: This study is aimed to identify coping strategies for stress self-management of pharmacy students at Nguyen Tat Thanh University to suggest some strategies to improve teaching quality, learning environment, and consulting work. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 436 pharmacy students from years of admission 2014 to 2018. Coping strategies were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results:“always” is the highest stress frequency. However, the lowest rate, slightly more than a quarter, was of the Y2017 student population (25,6%) and had the highest percentage at 33.7% for Y2015 students. The results showed that Problem Solving and Cognitive Restructuring were employed mostly whereas motional expression was the least common solution for stress management of Pharmacy students of Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Examining mental health of medical students: a DASS21 scale assessment

Background: Stress is a global phenomenon that affects nearly everyone. The medical curriculum is often regarded as one of the most difficult professional degree courses in the world, and so the prevalence of stress is clear. Because of this trend, the pupils' mental health must be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to gather information about stress levels among undergraduate medical students. Methods: The research was carried out at the RUHS college of medical sciences. Data was acquired using Google Forms via a self-administered questionnaire that contained students' consent and semester information. The questionnaire consisted of 21 questions based on the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21). Results: The response rate of this study was 91.02% (213/234). The study also revealed more active female participation than male respondents. Out of the total responses (n=234), 54.6% were females and 44.8% were male. The analysis showed that medical students had experienced higher levels of depression (55%), and anxiety (64%) relative to stress (34%). Female students were found more anxious and depressed. Conclusions: The study found a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among medical students. Preventive approaches for improving student mental health are so required.

Prevalence of stress among the healthcare providers in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi

Background and Objective:&#x0D; Healthcare workers are considered high risk for stress. This study aimed to study the prevalence of stress among the health care providers in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.&#x0D; Methods:&#x0D; A cross-sectional study was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital from July to December 2021. All healthcare workers in the vicinity of the hospital including doctors, nurses, allied health specialists, and other healthcare professionals who provide hands-on patient care were included in the study. Data was collected through a pre-designed questionnaire GHQ-12; related to stress symptoms and their impact on daily routine activities. It was in a Google form and forwarded through e-mails. Data was saved and transferred to SPSS later for analysis.&#x0D; Results: &#x0D; In terms of stress, the study found that a significant number of health care providers experienced stress n=146 (74.5%). Among the patients who reported experiencing stress, the distribution of stress levels shows that the majority experienced typical stress n=58 (29.6%), followed by severe stress with psychological distress n=56 (28.6%), and distress n=32 (16.3%). The majority of patients fell within the age range of 20-30 years and were female.&#x0D; Conclusion:&#x0D; There is a high prevalence of stress among the healthcare providers in our hospital. Enhancing productivity and reducing stress at work should be a goal in health care.

Psychological impact of obesity: A comprehensive analysis of health-related quality of life and weight-related symptoms

BackgroundObesity has devastating impacts on both physical and mental health and has emerged as a major global health concern. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of obesity on various health outcomes and to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of obese population. MethodsFor the study, 207 adult individuals who had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater were chosen from a tertiary care hospital. The Weight-Related Symptom Measure (WRSM), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS21), and the Obesity Weight Loss-Quality of Life (OWL-QOL) questionnaires were given to the study participants. The correlation between obesity and the relevant factors was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. ResultsThe findings showed a strong correlation between obesity and weight-related symptoms such fatigue, joint pain, back pain, shortness of breath, overeating behaviours, and irritability. Furthermore, obesity and HRQoL showed a strong inverse connection, suggesting individuals with higher BMI experienced a lower level of quality of life. The assessment of psychological factors revealed a strong correlation between obesity and a higher prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. ConclusionThe study emphasises the intricate interactions between obesity, weight related symptoms, HRQoL, and mental health. The physical and psychological effects of obesity should be addressed by healthcare professionals using a comprehensive strategy. Tailored interventions, early prevention, and targeted management strategies for vulnerable subgroups are essential to enhance the overall well-being and mental health of obese individuals.

Sex differences in patients with MINOCA: baseline characteristics and prognosis

Abstract Background The difference between men and women regarding the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases has been an object of study during the last few years, with an underrepresentation of female patients in old studies. The epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) has not yet been wholly elucidated up to this day. The aim of this study is to compare the characteristics and prognosis of MINOCA patients based on sex. Methods We analyzed all consecutive patients with MINOCA diagnosed at a University Hospital between 2016 and 2022. MINOCA diagnostic criteria compelled at the ESC Clinical Guidelines and the AHA Scientific Statement have been followed. Results Our sample comprises 107 patients with MINOCA, 61 male (57%) and 46 female (43%), but once the age of 80 years old was reached, MINOCA was more prevalent in women. We found the female population to have a higher prevalence of stress (usually chronic stress) and transient ischaemic attacks. On the contrary, men usually have more night shifts, psychiatric disorders, and a higher prevalence of smoking. We found no significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, or DM), clinical presentation, or other symptoms at admission. (Table 1). High-sensitivity troponin peak concentration was higher in women. As for the main MINOCA physiological mechanisms, we found a significantly higher prevalence of vasospasm in men and coronary artery dissection in women. There were no significant differences regarding coronary embolism, type II acute myocardial infarction (AMI), plaque rupture, or unknown mechanisms. Regarding prognosis, with a median follow-up of 45 [20-65] months, no significant differences were found between both groups for the development of in-hospital complications or mortality, nor cardiovascular readmissions, reinfarction or death from any cause (Table 2). Conclusion Unlike the previous popular perception of this disease, there are more MINOCA male patients than females in our sample, and psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in men. In octogenary people, MINOCA was more prevalent in women. At admission, symptoms and electrocardiographic parameters were very similar between both groups, while cardiac biomarkers reached higher levels in women, unrelated to coronary artery extension or the severity of left ventricular dysfunction.

Stress and coping strategy among coaching and non-coaching students in Kota: A comparative study.

About 1.5 lakh students study in over 100 coaching centers in Kota. There is a highly competitive environment, and students often land up in stress and even suicide. So, the estimation of the magnitude of this problem and timely intervention can be of great value to students. This study aimed to assess and compare stress and coping strategies used by coaching and non-coaching students studying in Kota. This cross-sectional study included 90 coaching and 90 non-coaching students fulfilling inclusion criteria that were specifically laid down for the study. A semi-structured specially designed pro forma, Scale of Academic Stress (SAS), and Coping Strategies Scale (CSS)-Hindi version were used. Appropriate statistical methods were then used to classify, tabulate, and analyze the collected data. In this study, it was found that of all coaching students, 44.45% were suffering from high levels of academic stress, 34.44% suffered from average and 21.11% reported suffering from low levels of academic stress. Likewise, among non-coaching students, 70% were suffering from low academic stress, 26.67% from average, and 3.33% from high levels of academic stress. It was also evident that the majority of both coaching and non-coaching students used a low level of active coping strategy (cognitive approach, behavioral approach, and cognitive behavioral approach) and a high level of avoidance coping strategy (cognitive avoidance and behavioral avoidance). There is a significantly high prevalence of stress among coaching students as compared to non-coaching students. Stress levels of greater severity were found to be more prevalent in female students, 12th-class students, those belonging to urban and middle-class backgrounds, and those whose stream was chosen by their parents. Both coaching and non-coaching students used the same type of coping strategies to cope with stress.

Assessment of chronic stress in the adult population of the Vladimir region

Aim. To assess the prevalence of chronic stress in the adult population in the Vladimir region, taking into account sex characteristics.Material and methods. This cross-sectional population study was performed in five cities of the Vladimir Oblast (Vladimir, Kovrov, Murom, Yuryev-Polsky and Vyazniki) from May 2018 to March 2020. From six health care facilities, 9 therapeutic areas were selected. Then, from the assigned population aged 30-69 years, respondents from each area were invited to the study. To identify chronic stress, the Reeder questionnaire was used, which makes it possible to identify three types of disorders: low, moderate and severe stress. The study analyzed fully completed Reeder L. chronic stress questionnaires from 1081 respondents (393 men and 688 women).Results. Among men, every second person has a low chronic stress, 42% — moderate stress, while high chronic stress was found in 6.4% of cases. A similar trend is observed among women. High levels of chronic stress were detected in 8% of women, and the gap between the prevalence of low and moderate chronic stress was minimal. In general, the prevalence of various levels of chronic stress between men and women was comparable, without significant differences. Sex variability in the prevalence of chronic stress was revealed in various cities of the Vladimir Oblast. In Vladimir, the prevalence of high stress among men was three times higher than in women, while in Vyazniki and Kovrov the opposite pattern was observed. In the other two cities (Murom and Yuryev Polsky), the prevalence of high chronic stress between men and women was comparable.Conclusion. In the working-age population, a high chronic stress level is detected in up to 10%. In some cities, there are sex differences between men and women. The mean level of chronic stress is determined in 42-43% of cases. The results obtained indicate the need for large-scale preventive measures to combat chronic stress among working-age men and women of in the Vladimir Oblast.

Prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and its associated factors among undergraduate medical students of Thrissur district during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has aggravated mental health problems among the student community. But due to pandemic restrictions the medical students lack the clinical exposure and interaction with patients and were forced to learn through online platform, which affected their procurement of clinical and communication skills. This led to lot of stress among medical students, which needs to be evaluated and managed. Objectives were to study the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and its associated factors among undergraduate medical students of Thrissur district during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross- sectional study was undertaken among undergraduate medical students from July 2021 to Jan 2022. Total 205 undergraduate medical students from all batches were included in the study and data was collected with the help of Google forms and a self-administered DASS 21 questionnaire was used as a tool for assessing the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students. Results: Out of 205 undergraduate medical students, 106 (51.7%) were suffering from anxiety, 70 (34.1%) were suffering from stress and 119 (58%) were suffering from depression. Around 112 (54.6%) of students faced difficulty in paying academic fees and 127 (62%) of students had difficulty due to cut shorting of clinical postings. The female students had higher prevalence of stress and anxiety compared with males which was statistically significant (p=0.04, 0.01 respectively). Conclusions: The presence of depression, anxiety and stress was prevalent among medical students. It has to be addressed with mentorship programmes, counselling and by ensuring leisure activities in the campus.

Stress and Sleep Difficulties in a Sample of Medical Students, Ain-Shams University

Introduction: Background Becoming a medical doctor is a highly complex process. High incidence of stress disorders among medical students was reported. Psychological stress is a triggering factor for insomnia and has a bidirectional association with poor sleep quality. the relationship between stress and sleep difficulties among medical students should be assessed and evaluated as it may affect Academic achievement, and cause difficulty in concentration, tiredness, headache, bad appetite, disturbed bowel habits and tiredness and weakness during daytime, To raise the awareness about the importance of good sleep quality for health and academic achievement Objective To measure stress among medical students, determine pattern of sleep difficulties and to find relationship between stress and sleep quality among medical students. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study, Questionnaire based, convenience sample. The sample consisted of 300 undergraduate medical students at Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Egypt from January 2019 to March 2020. All students fulfilling the inclusion criteria were offered to participate in the study by using GHQ, PSQI, MSSQ &amp; SCID I Results 300 medical students were recruited in this study; their mean age were 21.4 ± 2.3 year ranging from 17-30 years. 40 % (n = 120) of them were males &amp; 60% (n = 180) were females. 98% (n = 294) of the study sample were single and 4.7% of students (n = 14) were smoker. 50.7% (n = 152) had one or more hobbies. Females reported higher Mean ± SD than males in all MSSQ domains except Drive &amp; desire related stressors. There was statistically significant difference regarding female gender was reported. Conclusion There is high prevalence of stress and poor sleep quality in medical school students. Strong association between sleep quality and stress was found. Medical students need to be educated about sleep hygiene and stress management programs to emphasize on study skills, time management, healthy lifestyles, and effective coping strategies. Conflicts of Interest None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose. Abbreviations PSQI: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; GHQ: General health Questionnaire; MSSQ: medical students stress scale

Prevalence and correlates of stress, anxiety, and depression in patients with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMany chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory problems, can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and depression among patients. Likewise, psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression can elevate the risk of developing chronic diseases. The objective of the study was to examine the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression in individuals with chronic diseases, as well as to identify the chronic disease with the highest prevalence among all chronic conditions and the factors associated with stress, anxiety, and depression.ResultsIn our study, the prevalence rate of stress, anxiety, and depression in patients having chronic diseases was found to be 68.7%, 51.1%, and 58.8%, respectively. The chronic diseases which are included in this study are cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer, respiratory disorders, degenerative disorders, chronic kidney disease, and chronic liver disorders. Among these diseases, cardiovascular disease patients were found to have the highest prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression. The psychosocial determinants that can trigger stress, anxiety, and depression were analyzed. The factors like age, marital status, primary caretakers of the patient, social isolation, length of hospital stay, social relationships, number of frequent visits to the hospital/month, and the lifestyle of the patient have a significant association with the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Factors like monthly income and educational status were also found to be statistically significant with the stress levels, and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was significantly associated with the levels of anxiety.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study found a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among patients with chronic disease(s). Among all the chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease patients were found to have the highest prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition, our study also identified several psychosocial factors that contribute to the development of these mental health conditions which exacerbate the present chronic condition of the patient. These findings highlight the importance of considering the impact of chronic disease on mental health problems.