Stress among medical students and its impact on academic performance

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Stress is the response given by the human body to various changes which needs physical, mental or physiological adaptation. The inordinate stress during medical education incline students in solving social conflicts, dropped attention, reduced mindfulness, decreased neutrality, increased errors and misconduct like negligence which leads to decrease in academic performance. Hence, this study was undertaken to know the prevalence and impact of stress in medical students’ academic performance. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study organized by the Department of Physiology, Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Srikakulam (AP). All medical students pursuing their 2nd and 3rd MBBS were included in the study. Students on any antipsychotic medicine; not willing to participate were excluded. Informed written consent was taken from subjects. Approval was taken from the Institutional Ethical Committee prior to the study. Data were collected using K-10 questionnaire for stress and academic performance. Results: The prevalence of stress was mild, moderate, severe among 12%, 69%, 19% subjects respectively. Statistically significant negative association was found between stress and academic performance (p<0.05). Conclusion: A high prevalence of stress was found amongst medical students. Poor academic performance was seen in students associated with higher level of stress.