Students Of Government Medical College Research Articles

Self-medication practice among undergraduate medical students in government medical college of Andhra Pradesh

Background: Self-medication involves using medicines without professional advice, a common global practice due to limited healthcare access, over-the-counter drug availability, and widespread internet use. Medical students, despite lacking prescription authority, often self-medicate due to their drug knowledge. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2024 among undergraduate medical students at Government Medical College, Srikakulam. Data on socio-demographics and knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding self-medication were collected through a validated online questionnaire, with 520 completed responses from 623 students. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 67%. Most respondents were male (61%) and 2nd-year students (32.5%). Self-medication was common for minor illnesses (76%), with antacids (83%) and analgesics (74%) being the most used drugs. Although 70.2% acknowledged the risks of self-medication, its prevalence increased with semester progression, peaking at 96% among 4th-year students. Conclusions: Self-medication is widespread among medical students, driven by easy drug access and textbook knowledge. The study underscores the need for better education on the risks and stricter drug dispensing regulations to mitigate health risks.

The prevalence of internet addiction and associated factors among undergraduate medical students in government medical college, Almora

The prevalence of internet addiction and associated factors among undergraduate medical students in government medical college, Almora

Perceptions of undergraduate medical students of old traditional and new CBME curriculum about pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reactions reporting at a tertiary care teaching hospital: a comparative study

Background: National pharmacovigilance program is an ongoing program to monitor the adverse drug reactions and reporting at the earliest. The effectiveness and success of any pharmacovigilance system depends highly on the participation of all health care professionals. As medical students are future health-care givers, this study is aimed to measure perceptions on Pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting among medical students of two different curriculum. Methods: A validated and standardized KAP Questionnaire based cross sectional study. It consists of 22 questions divided into four sections of total of 22 items (six related to Personal details, eight related to knowledge, four related to attitude, and four related to practice) The filled questionnaires were collected and analyzed by MS excel Results: A comparative sample of 100 from old (phase 4) and 100 from New CBME (phase 3) curriculum undergraduate medical students of Government Medical College are included in our study. The average score of phase 3 and phase 4 medical students for knowledge was 85.37% and 75.87%, for attitude was 95.5% and 84% and for practices was 88.75% and 67.5% respectively. Conclusions: The overall knowledge, attitude and practices of new curriculum students found to be better than old curriculum students as CBME curriculum was introduced from the academic year 2019–2020 in all Medical Institutions of India to impart knowledge, communication and leadership skills using various teaching–learning methods among students.

Physical fitness and its association with anthropometric parameters in medical students

Background: Although determined partly by genetics, physical fitness can be affected by a series of factors, such as sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and obesity. In general, medical students have considerable information about healthy lifestyle and dietary habits compared to other professional courses. Unfortunately, knowledge does not always translate into practice in terms of maintaining good health. Aims and Objectives: The study aims to assess the physical fitness and evaluate its association with body mass index (BMI) in medical students. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional was conducted in the Department of Physiology among the 1st-year students of Government Medical College, Srinagar, from December 2022 to February 2023. A total of 116 students in the age group of 18–22 years participated in the study. Descriptive data for age (years), gender height (m), and weight (Kg) were obtained and BMI was calculated. Physical fitness index (PFI) was measured using the modified Harvard step test. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity according to BMI was 41.3% (34.4% were overweight and 6.0% were obese). Among the participants, 81.7% of participants had a PFI of average to excellent while as 18.3% of participants had a PFI of low to poor. The study found a weak negative association (r-value=−0.07) between BMI and physical fitness, which was statistically not significant. Conclusion: The present study found a weak association between physical fitness and BMI which was statistically not significant. Although majority of students had good to excellent PFI, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be quite high in them.

Assessment of Educational Environment of Newly Established Medical College by UG Medical Students: A Mixed Method Study

Introduction: Educational environment always play a crucial role in the development of students as well as faculty of any institution. In India, there is a continuous increase in the number of medical colleges and the number of MBBS seats, but the quality of education with quantity is questionable. To answer this question, the present study was planned to know the educational environment in a new Medical Institution that ejected its alumni in 2018. Aim: To analyze the educational environment of a newly established Medical College in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive cross-sectional which took six months to complete. This study used the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire, open-ended questions and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study was conducted on MBBS students in Government Medical College, Azamgarh, UP. Results: The batch-wise Global DREEM scores were 169.08 (alumni), 156.23 (interns), 168.76 (2015), 164.16 (2016), 176.23 (2017), 176.94 (2018). This demonstrates that the educational environment is satisfactory in all domains and comes under the 3rd category of the educational environment index. The FGDs showed a positive response in all batches but with high variability in scores, which indicates lack of standardization in Medical Education. The open-ended questions’ responses revealed many merits and demerits about five domains. Conclusion: The variability of DREEM score, FGDs and open ended questions denotes the lack of standardization in the Medical Education system and the scores of the Education Environment Index (all domains) must move from category III (satisfactory) to category IV (excellence).

A cross-sectional observational study on psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate medical students of Government Medical College, Maharashtra

Background: Students were one of the most affected category by COVID-19 because of uncertainty regarding academic success and covidophobia. Students required to stay home due to the closure of their educational institution. The present study was done to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological status and academic status of undergraduate students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in all undergraduate medical students who gave consent for participation, i.e., 619, using semi-structured pretested closed-ended questionnaires for socio-demographic and academics-related factors. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 was used for assessing their psychological status. Responses were recorded using Google form and one-to-one interview method and analyzed using Microsoft Excel software using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Out of 619 students who participated in the study, 358 (57.83%) had extremely severe anxiety, 103 (16.63%) had extremely severe depression and 68 (10.98%) had extremely severe stress. In all, 82.07% of students were comfortable with offline practical classes compared to online classes. While 64.13% of students were not satisfied with the interaction during online classes. A statistically significant association was found between psychological status age, sex, and academic year of students. Conclusion: Most prevalent psychological factor was anxiety, and the least prevalent was stress related to COVID-19 pandemic. Students' response showed a positive attitude toward offline classes. This indicates a need for a more systematic and longitudinal assessment of the psychological needs of the students.

Early Stages of Human Embryology: A Quasi-experimental Study from South Kerala, India

Introduction: Physical models are being used in embryology lectures along with PowerPoint presentations to improve the spatial orientation of students. But the demonstration of the sequence of changes is not possible with commercial models due to nonavailability and high expenses. The latest audio-visual aids including three-dimensional projections like simulation-based screens, or virtual reality enhance the visual-spatial ability of the students but are very costly and not affordable for all institutions. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of hand-made physical models with the PowerPoint presentation mode of teaching in understanding the 3D concept of embryology, among first-year MBBS students and to assess the students’ perception of this model-based teaching. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental study design, on 218 phase 1 medical students of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, from February 2020 to August 2020. The students were divided into two equal groups. Group B was taught the topic “Second week of embryonic life” with a PowerPoint lecture session (n=109) and the Group A had in addition a demonstration with the handmade models (n=109). Pretest and post-test were conducted with an internally validated questionnaire. Feedback on the student’s acceptance of teaching/ learning with models were also collected. The improvement of the test scores was analysed using paired t-tests in both the test and control groups. Results: Statistically significant improvement in knowledge score was obtained while comparing the post-test scores of the intervention group (mean score was 4.83±2) with that of the non intervention group (mean score was 3.99±2.06) (student’s t-test, p-value <0.05). It was observed, 99.1% of students were satisfied with this model-assisted teaching, especially with the series of models demonstrating the sequence of events. A 93.1% of students said that they needed such model-assisted lectures in other subjects also. Conclusion: Series of models pertaining to a particular event is beneficial and effective for learning complex concepts of embryology. Also, it’s a long-lasting, innovative mode of teaching which can be done cost-effectively

Assessment of Determinants of Sleep Deprivation amongst Post Graduate Students of Government Medical College, Amritsar

Background: Sleep is an active, repetitive and reversible state of perceptual disengagement from the environment.A chronic lack or poor quality sleep increases the risk ofvarious disorders.Post graduate students is at the top ofthe list of sleep deprived individuals.Material and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted amongst the post graduate students of GovernmentMedical College, Amritsar. All the post graduate students admitted to various pre, para and clinical departmentsduring the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 formulated the sample size for this study.Semi structured proformae weredeveloped for data collection. Chi-square test was applied, where p-value of <0.05 (on both sides) was consideredto be statistically significantResults: According to PSQI poor sleep quality was among 178(58%) post graduate students , excessive daytimesleepiness according to ESS was among 120(40%) post graduate students and sleep hours <7 hrs were among 182(66%) post graduate students. After compiling results of all three, 223(72%) post graduate students were foundto be sleep deprived. Association of sleep deprivation with sleep hygiene and night duties was found to bestatistically significant.Conclusion: Increased amount of workload on the residents and more number of night duties affect the sleep ofthe post graduate students and majority of them feel exhausted and fatigued after their night duties

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding COVID-19 among Undergraduate Students of A Medical College in District Anantnag, Kashmir

Background: The control measures implemented against COVID-19 infection are affected largely in turn by the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. The medical undergraduates being most active users of social media could have a huge impact over spread as well as control of this pandemic. So in order to evaluate their understanding of COVID-19. This study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices associated with COVID-19 among the undergraduate medical students.Subjects dan Method: A cross sectional study using an online survey was conducted among the medical students of Government Medical College, District Anantnag, J&K. All the medical students enrolled in this medical college were included in the study. Universal sampling was followed and a total of 183 medical students were included in the study. Data was collected by using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire through online survey form. The dependent variables were Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding COVID-19. The independent variables were demographic characteristics like age, gender, residence etc. Frequencies were obtained using descriptive statistics using appropriate statistical tool for analysis.Results: A total of 183 medical students participated in this study. All the subjects knew about corona virus and their main source of information was social media (n=131; 71.4%). About 95.6% knew about mode of transmission, and 91.2% knew about all major symptoms of corona virus infection. Most of the participants felt that COIVD-19 is a serious (n=137; 74.9%) disease and that lockdown is helping in reducing the number of cases (n=157; 85.8%). Our study also showed that 86.9% wash their hands regularly, 90.2% wear a face mask to avoid transmission, and 89.1% followed the lockdown guidelines.Conclusion: The present study showed that these medical students seem to have satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude and good practices regarding COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19, knowledge, attitude, practice, medical students, Anantnag Correspondence:Suhail Nazir. Department of Surgery, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. India. Email: suhailbhat669@gmail.com.

PROBLEM-BASED MOBILE LEARNING IN COMMUNITY MEDICINE: AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY IN PHASE II MBBS STUDENTS

Objectives: (1) The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) in classroom and problem-based mobile learning using a mobile application (PBML) and (2) to study the perception of students to problem-based m-learning (PBML) and problem-based learning (PBL) in classroom. Methods: After getting clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee, an interventional study was conducted for a period of 2 months among 150 Phase II MBBS students of Government Medical College, Datia (MP). Students who gave consent for the study were divided into two groups, namely, R-1 and R-2, and analyzed for the effectiveness of problem-based mobile-learning (PBML) as a teaching learning method in comparison with problem-based learning in classroom (PBL). Perception of students toward use of PBML and PBL as teaching learning method was collected using validated questionnaire. Results: It was observed from the study that in all the sessions, post-test mean scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores in both PBL and PBML. Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the pre-test mean scores in topics done by PBL and PBML. After intervention, the only the post-test mean scores significantly improved. When the total post-test scores of PBL and PBML compared, it was found that PBML mean score is significantly higher than PBL mean score. In the student’s perception analysis, it was found that both methods are effective in concept building, stimulating, helpful in passing examinations, and development of problem-learning skills. Conclusion: From the study finding, we can conclude that both PBL and PBML are effective modes of teaching applied community medicine for Phase II MBBS students. PBML is more effective than PBL in teaching applied community medicine in Phase II MBBS students. Perception analysis shows that interaction with the students and doubt clearance is more effectuated with PBL than PBML.

A study to evaluate pattern and purpose of smartphone usage and its dependence among medical students of government medical college in northern India

Background: Smartphone usage has become increasingly popular in recent decade. Though it’s of great utility in many aspects, excessive usage among youth has shown increased restlessness, careless lifestyles and greater susceptibility to stress. Aim & Objective: To assess the pattern and purpose of smartphone usage and its dependence among medical students. Methods & Material: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 363 MBBS students of 1st, IInd and IIIrd professional year between October 2018 to December 2018 at a government medical college. A 20-item self-administrated questionnaire, focusing on purpose and pattern of use of smart phone and its dependence was filled by all the students. Data was collected, entered and analysed using SPSS Software. Result: Among 363 students, 53% participants were males and rest were females. 80% students were using smartphone for more than 2 years, while 60% were having daily usage of more than 3 hours. Significant association between severity of smartphone dependence and variables like MBBS professional year, daily phone call made and received, daily SMS received, daily WhatsApp message sent and received were observed. Dependence was mild in 8.8% of the students; Moderate in 72.2% while 19% were suffering from severe smartphone dependence. Conclusion: Smart phone dependence is an established and emerging psychological issue which needs attention and intervention. It is of serious concern that all medical students were suffering from smartphone dependence with varying grades of severity. Increased awareness regarding the harmful effects of smartphone addiction is the need of hour.

A cross-sectional and comparative study of burnout among medical students of urban government medical college

Background: Burnout syndromes are becoming more prevalent in medical students of late due to multiple reasons that can negatively impact their lives and academic performances.Aims and Objectives: This study aims to estimate and compare the prevalence of burnout across first- and final-year medical students and assess sociodemographic factors associated with it.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on 375 students of a government medical college was carried out through an online questionnaire based on the Copenhagen Burnout inventory (personal domain). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.Results: The prevalence of burnout among the first year was 40% and the final year was 54%. Burnout was more prevalent among female gender, and in students who did not have any hobbies or were uncomfortable seeking support from teachers and parents.Conclusions: To reduce these effects, focus must be on reducing stress, the inclusion of sports, and improving resiliency and the study environment.

Evaluation of preferred learning styles among undergraduate students of Government Medical College, Jammu

Background: A person’s preferred method of collecting, processing, interpreting, and organizing knowledge is referred to as their “learning style” and several models exist to assess one’s preferred learning style. The VARK model that encompasses four sensory modalities, namely, Visual (V), Auditory (A), Read/Write (R), and Kinesthetic (K) provides students with insight into their preferred forms of sensory information perception. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was (1) to evaluate the learning styles of medical undergraduates, and (2) to determine the gender-specific relationship between learning style and academic performance. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out for duration of three months, covering 200 MBBS students (males and females both) from all phases of the MBBS. The VARK self-administered structured questionnaire, version 7.8, was distributed among students and their response collected. Results: About 53% of pupils in the current study utilized multimodal learning, while 47% utilized unimodal knowledge. Kinesthetic approach was the most prevalent unimodal approach (22%), followed by auditory (21%). Bimodal was the most common multimodal strategy, accounting for 31% of all multimodal techniques (Audio and kinesthetic together). About 1% were tetramodal (visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic), and 21% were trimodal (auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic). There was no statistically significant correlation between gender and learning styles. Conclusion: VARK is a useful tool to collect information about different learning styles. It makes the student as well as the educator aware about different learning style preferences. Moreover, it is better if students in a teaching medical institute are made aware of their preferred learning style.

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Background:During the last few decades, Internet use has not only grown but has also transformed from a tool to collect and share information to a way of connecting with others and the world around us. Individuals aged 18–24 years old account for 18% of global Internet users and those aged from 25 to 34 account for 32% of global Internet users. The general rise in Internet usage also poses a risk of online activities becoming excessive such as gaming/gambling, streaming, watching pornography, and shopping .The excessive and compulsive use of online activities and services which have addictive potential associated with marked functional impairment. A study examining the correlation between PIU, mental health, and sleep quality among Western medical students found that PIU was directly and positively connected to depression anxiety and stress.Aim:The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of compulsive internet use and associated psychological distress among medical students.Methods:A total of 100 medical students of Government medical college participated in an online survey. Participants completed the CIUS(compulsive internet use scale) and Kessler Psychological Distress scale.Results:Students with higher CIUS scores reported significantly lower academic achievements as well as showed significant higher score in Kessler distress scale, Study also showed PIU increases likelihood of anxiousness and depressive symptoms.Conclusion:CIUS as reliable and valid self-report screening instruments for evaluating the severity of PIU symptoms among the medical student population and showed associated significant increase of psychological distress among the students who spend more time on internet.

Physiology teaching methodology – Perspective of undergraduate medical students

Background: Proper understanding of concepts of physiology forms basis of good clinical practice. To make the lectures of physiology, more interesting and understanding one has to review the teaching methods at regular intervals. Aims and Objectives: This study is designed to get feedback regarding teaching methods in physiology from MBBS students of Government Medical College, Kozhikode, to make teaching more effective. Materials and Methods: Two hundred randomly selected students who successfully completed 1st-year MBBS are included in the study group. The standard questionnaire is shared to study group through Google forms and adequate time is given to record their responses. Descriptive statistics are used. Frequency is expressed in percentage. Results: Most of students prefer interactive teaching methodologies such as group discussion as their preferred mode of learning rather than conventional didactic lectures in whole batch. Students also like to have integration with other subjects and early clinical exposure to understand the concepts precisely. Conclusion: Teaching in small groups with proper integration and alignment with other subjects will make maximum results in rather than the traditional teacher centered medical education. Periodic review of teaching methods is very much essential to make the subject more interesting.

Evaluation of Self-directed Learning Readiness among Students of Medicine and Allied Branches in South Kashmir, India

Introduction: The aim of Self-directed Learning (SDL) is to motivate the undergraduate student to become a lifelong learner who plays an active role in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. With the implementation of competency based medical education (CBME) in 2019, SDL has become an integral part of the curriculum hence it is important to know whether our students are ready for it or not. Aim: To assess the readiness of the students of Medical College and college of Nursing and Paramedical sciences, Government medical college, Anantnag for SDL. Materials and Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 295 undergraduate medical and paramedical students of Government medical college, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Williamson’s SDL readiness scale (SDLRS) was provided to the students who were instructed to describe themselves by indicating on the Likert scale, the extent to which the item best described their personal attitude. The score ranges from 60 to 300. Data was calculated in form of frequency (n) and percentages (%) and was analysed by using Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 295 students (150 were boys and 145 were girls, 195 medical and 100 paramedical students), mean age 19.07±0.762 years, who took part in the study, 40% (N=118) had high readiness scores, 52.88% (N=156) had moderate score and 7.12% (N=21) had low score. A total of 45.52 % (N=66) of girls had high readiness as compared to 34.66% (N=52) boys. Nursing and paramedical students appeared to be more ready for SDL than Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students as 52% (N=52) of nursing and paramedical students had a high score whereas only 33.85 % (N=66) of medical students had a high score and this difference was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Most of the medical and paramedical students seem to be ready for self-directed learning and paramedics are more ready for SDL than medical students. Female students seem to be more receptive for SDL as compared to male students.

Knowledge, attitude and practices towards e-learning: A feasibility study among first MBBS students of Government Medical College from hilly region of India

Background: Nationwide lockdown tremendously affected academic and educational activities of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical students like all other faculties resorted to the e-learning modalities. This has helped the first MBBS students to continue learning during this period of lockdown. Hence studies about perception of medical students towards e-learning are relevant. Aims and Objectives: To assess the first MBBS student’s perception about e-learning and online classes. To evaluate feasibility of utilizing e-learning by assessing the acceptability, knowledge, attitude, skills and habits of first MBBS students. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire of 25 questions on various aspects of e-learning was administered to the first MBBS students at Government Medical College, Himachal Pradesh through google form (n=100). They were asked to mark appropriate responses and the data was analysed to get the percentage and proportion on various aspects of e-learning. Results: The first MBBS students widely used e-learning resources to learn anatomy, physiology as well as biochemistry during COVID 19 pandemic. E-learning has made a positive impact on overall learning of first-year subjects, especially anatomy. The responses did not have any association with gender (p>0.05). Conclusion: Distance learning can compensate for conventional teaching during pandemic, but cannot fully replace the traditional teaching in the medical institutes.

English

BACKGROUND Due to Covid-19 lockdown initiated by the Government, the teaching was transformed to an online sphere. Reflection from students was quite essential for advancement in newer platforms. Thus, perception of various online teachinglearning methods among medical students were assessed. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted among phase-1 MBBS students of Government Medical College, Thrissur. This study was done to analyse medical student’s perceptions on four methods of online classes which included live online lectures, assignments, sending PowerPoint presentations and pre-recorded videos. All statistical data was analysed using SPSS software version 16. Continuous variables was expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Difference between the groups were analysed by simple ANOVA but the subgroup analysis in each variable was done by post hoc analysis with Bonferroni test. The level of significance was kept at 5%. RESULTS When different variables were analysed by anova, it was found out that emphasizing important aspects of topics, describing the contents in a logical sequence and interaction was significantly better in live online lectures. Coverage of learning objectives and description of concepts was significantly better in narrative PowerPoint presentation. Likewise, it significantly helped them to prepare notes for examination. Live online lectures effectively used audio-visual aids and it has aroused interest in the subject. Live online lecture was found to be the best single method as compared to the other three when all ten variables were analysed conjointly. CONCLUSIONS The preferred method for online teaching for phase-1 medical students was online lectures when all variables were analysed. Important aspects of topics were emphasized, the contents were discovered in a logical sequence, the audio-visuals were used effectively, and interest was aroused in topics through live online lectures. All the learning objectives were covered and described very clearly and note preparation was easy in PowerPoint presentation. KEYWORDS Covid-19 Lockdown, Perception, Live Online Lectures, Pre-Recorded Videos, Assignments, Interaction, Learning Objectives, Audio Visual Aids

How Important is Medical Ethics? Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey among Medical Students of Karachi

Introduction: Healthcare ethics is of prime importance and medical students should learn to incorporate it in their everyday practices. Our study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge of medical ethics among students enrolled in a government and a private medical college of Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November-December 2019 among 380 medical students who were recruited via convenience sampling after getting their informed consent. A pre-tested, self-administered structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 22. Results: Majority, 323 (85%) regarded medical ethics as important while 138 (36.3%) had acquired their knowledge from different workshops. Almost half, 187 (49.2%) had knowledge regarding Hippocratic Oath. When asked regarding ethical scenarios, 69 (18.2%) students in government medical college were of the opinion that a doctor can refuse to perform abortion even if law allows it as compared to 57 (15.0%) in private medical college (p=0.019). Moreover, 80 (21.1%) students in government medical college strongly disagreed that a patient who wishes to die should be assisted in doing so, as compared to 45 (11.8%) in private medical college (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Students had knowledge and were aware of the importance of ethics in their profession. The ones belonging to government medical college held stronger views regarding ethical scenarios as compared to the ones in private medical college.

Study of depression, anxiety and stress among first year Medical students in Government Medical College, Himachal Pradesh during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: During COVID 19 pandemic many countries implied nationwide lockdown which affected academic and educational activities of medical students. We evaluated the level of depression, anxiety and stress among first MBBS students of Government Medical College, Himachal Pradesh.&#x0D; Aims and Objective: To estimate the level of depression, anxiety and stress among first MBBS students during COVID-19 pandemic and study its relationship with gender.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A standard questionnaire DASS 21 (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) was administered to 110 first MBBS of Government Medical College, Himachal Pradesh. The responses were collected via Google form and scores evaluated.&#x0D; Results: The overall score for depression was 10.44±5.1, 10.94±5 for anxiety and 12.29±5.3 for stress. About 58 % participants had depression, 74% had anxiety &amp; 32 % had stress in various grades of severity. Depression, anxiety &amp; stress was more among females as compared to males (p&lt;0.05). There was strong correlation among the scores of Depression, Anxiety &amp; Stress among the participants (r &gt;0.8).&#x0D; Conclusion: During this COVID-19 pandemic higher scores of depression, anxiety &amp; stress were recorded among the first year MBBS students; females having more scores than male students. This study highlights the importance of and need for routine screening of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students.