Increased mental stress among undergraduate medical students in south-western Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily life and academic trajectory of many students. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on perceived stress levels among medical students.

Methods

Comparative pre-pandemic and pandemic surveys were conducted among samples of undergraduate medical students. Students responded to a questionnaire including personal and academic data, and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Results

Overall, the prevalence of high perceived stress during the pandemic (20.6%) was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than pre-pandemic (11.6%). A multivariable analysis revealed that the independent factors associated with high perceived stress were: participation in the study during the pandemic (aOR

SUBMITTER: Awadalla NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9387517 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature