Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
6
International Journal of Advance Scientific Research
(ISSN
–
2750-1396)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
Pages:
6-11
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.478
)
(2022:
5.636
)
(2023:
6.741
)
OCLC
–
1368736135
A
BSTRACT
This study investigates the prevalence and predictors of perceived stress among medical students at
Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria. Through a comprehensive survey, data on perceived stress
levels and potential predictors such as academic workload, personal factors, and coping strategies were
collected. Statistical analysis revealed the prevalence rates of perceived stress and identified significant
predictors contributing to heightened stress levels among medical students. The findings offer valuable
insights into the challenges faced by medical students and provide implications for interventions aimed at
promoting mental health and well-being within the academic environment.
K
EYWORDS
Perceived stress, Medical students, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, Prevalence, Predictors,
Academic workload, Coping strategies, Mental health.
I
NTRODUCTION
Journal
Website:
http://sciencebring.co
m/index.php/ijasr
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Research Article
INSIGHTS INTO PERCEIVED STRESS: PREVALENCE AND
PREDICTORS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS AT EBONYI
STATE UNIVERSITY ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA
Submission Date:
January 23,
2024,
Accepted Date:
January 28, 2024,
Published Date:
February 02, 2024
https://doi.org/10.37547/ijasr-04-02-02
Edmund Ogbonnaya
Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Divinewill Ezeagu
Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
7
International Journal of Advance Scientific Research
(ISSN
–
2750-1396)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
Pages:
6-11
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.478
)
(2022:
5.636
)
(2023:
6.741
)
OCLC
–
1368736135
Medical education is renowned for its rigorous
demands, intense academic workload, and high
levels of stress, posing significant challenges to
the mental health and well-being of medical
students worldwide. In the context of Ebonyi
State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, medical
students encounter unique stressors related to
academic pressures, personal responsibilities,
and socio-cultural factors. Understanding the
prevalence and predictors of perceived stress
among these students is essential for designing
targeted interventions and support systems to
promote their mental health and academic
success.
The academic environment plays a pivotal role in
shaping the experiences and perceptions of stress
among medical students. The demanding
curriculum, competitive learning environment,
and expectations for academic excellence
contribute to heightened stress levels and
psychological
distress.
Furthermore,
the
transition to medical school represents a
significant
life
event
characterized
by
adjustments to new academic and social roles,
which may exacerbate stressors and challenge
coping mechanisms.
Against this backdrop, this study aims to explore
the prevalence and predictors of perceived stress
among medical students at Ebonyi State
University Abakaliki, Nigeria. By examining the
multifaceted factors contributing to stress
perception, including academic workload,
personal characteristics, and coping strategies,
the research seeks to illuminate the complex
interplay between individual, interpersonal, and
institutional influences on student well-being.
The significance of this study lies in its potential
to inform evidence-based interventions and
support mechanisms tailored to the unique needs
of medical students in the Nigerian context. By
identifying key stressors and predictors,
educators, administrators, and healthcare
professionals can implement targeted strategies
to mitigate stress, foster resilience, and promote
a culture of well-being within the medical
education community.
In the following sections, we will explore the
methodology employed to investigate perceived
stress among medical students, review relevant
literature on stress in medical education, and
present the findings and implications of this study
for advancing student mental health and
academic success at Ebonyi State University
Abakaliki, Nigeria.
M
ETHOD
The process of investigating perceived stress
among medical students at Ebonyi State
University Abakaliki, Nigeria, involved a
systematic and comprehensive approach aimed
at understanding the prevalence and predictors
of stress within the academic context. Initially,
participants were recruited from the medical
student population using a convenience sampling
method, ensuring representation across various
academic levels and demographic characteristics.
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
8
International Journal of Advance Scientific Research
(ISSN
–
2750-1396)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
Pages:
6-11
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.478
)
(2022:
5.636
)
(2023:
6.741
)
OCLC
–
1368736135
A structured questionnaire was meticulously
designed to collect data on perceived stress levels
and potential predictors, including academic
workload, personal factors, and coping strategies.
The questionnaire incorporated validated scales
such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess
stress levels accurately. Data collection was
conducted
through
self-administered
questionnaires distributed during class sessions
or online platforms, adhering to ethical guidelines
to ensure confidentiality and voluntary
participation.
Statistical analysis formed the crux of data
interpretation, with descriptive statistics used to
summarize prevalence rates of perceived stress
and the distribution of predictor variables among
medical students. Inferential statistics, including
correlation analysis and regression modeling,
were employed to identify significant predictors
contributing to perceived stress levels and
explore potential relationships among variables.
Throughout the process, ethical considerations
were paramount, with measures in place to
protect participant confidentiality and respect
their autonomy. Ethical approval was obtained
from the Institutional Review Board, affirming
adherence to ethical guidelines governing
research involving human participants.
The study recruited participants from the medical
student population at Ebonyi State University
Abakaliki, Nigeria. A convenience sampling
approach was utilized to select participants,
ensuring
representation
across
different
academic levels and demographic characteristics.
Participants were informed about the purpose
and procedures of the study and provided
voluntary consent to participate.
A structured questionnaire was designed to
collect data on perceived stress levels and
potential predictors among medical students. The
questionnaire included validated scales such as
the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess
perceived stress levels, as well as items
addressing academic workload, personal factors
(e.g., family support, financial concerns), and
coping strategies (e.g., social support, time
management).
Data collection was conducted through self-
administered questionnaires distributed to
medical students during designated class
sessions or via online platforms for remote
participants. Participants were provided with
clear instructions on questionnaire completion
and encouraged to respond honestly and
thoughtfully. Confidentiality and anonymity of
responses were ensured to promote candid
disclosure.
The sample size for the study was determined
based on considerations of statistical power and
precision. Using standard sample size calculation
formulas for prevalence studies and predictors
analysis, an adequate sample size was
determined to achieve the desired level of
statistical significance and representativeness for
the study population.
Quantitative
data
obtained
from
the
questionnaires were analyzed using appropriate
statistical methods. Descriptive statistics were
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
9
International Journal of Advance Scientific Research
(ISSN
–
2750-1396)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
Pages:
6-11
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.478
)
(2022:
5.636
)
(2023:
6.741
)
OCLC
–
1368736135
used to summarize the prevalence rates of
perceived stress and the distribution of predictor
variables among medical students. Inferential
statistics, including correlation analysis and
regression modeling, were employed to identify
significant predictors of perceived stress and
explore potential relationships among variables.
Ethical approval for the study was obtained from
the Institutional Review Board of Ebonyi State
University Abakaliki, Nigeria, prior to data
collection. The study adhered to ethical
guidelines for research involving human
participants, including informed consent,
voluntary participation, confidentiality, and
respect for participant autonomy and privacy.
While efforts were made to ensure the validity
and reliability of data collection instruments, the
study may be subject to limitations inherent in
self-reported measures, including recall bias and
social desirability bias. Additionally, the cross-
sectional nature of the study limits causal
inference and longitudinal assessment of stress
dynamics among medical students.
Despite these limitations, the study provides
valuable insights into perceived stress and its
predictors among medical students at Ebonyi
State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, offering a
foundation for future research and intervention
initiatives aimed at promoting student well-being
and academic success.
R
ESULTS
The study on perceived stress among medical
students at Ebonyi State University Abakaliki,
Nigeria, revealed a notable prevalence of stress
within the student population. Analysis of the
data indicated that a significant proportion of
medical students experienced moderate to high
levels of perceived stress, with academic
workload, personal factors, and coping strategies
emerging as influential predictors of stress
perception.
D
ISCUSSION
The findings underscore the multifaceted nature
of stress experienced by medical students,
reflecting the demanding nature of medical
education and the challenges inherent in
navigating academic responsibilities, personal
obligations, and social pressures. Academic
workload emerged as a prominent predictor of
perceived stress, highlighting the rigorous
demands of the medical curriculum and the need
for effective time management and study
strategies to mitigate stress levels.
Personal factors such as family support, financial
concerns, and social relationships were also
identified as important predictors of stress
perception among medical students. The
transition to medical school represents a
significant
life
event
characterized
by
adjustments to new academic and social roles,
which may exacerbate stressors and challenge
coping mechanisms. Cultivating strong social
support networks and fostering resilience are
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
10
International Journal of Advance Scientific Research
(ISSN
–
2750-1396)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
Pages:
6-11
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.478
)
(2022:
5.636
)
(2023:
6.741
)
OCLC
–
1368736135
essential for promoting student well-being and
mitigating the impact of stressors.
The study also underscored the importance of
effective coping strategies in buffering against
stress and enhancing student resilience. Positive
coping strategies such as seeking social support,
engaging in leisure activities, and maintaining a
healthy work-life balance were associated with
lower levels of perceived stress among medical
students. Interventions aimed at enhancing
coping skills and promoting self-care practices
are critical for equipping students with the
resources they need to navigate the challenges of
medical education successfully.
C
ONCLUSION
In conclusion, the study provides valuable
insights into the prevalence and predictors of
perceived stress among medical students at
Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria. The
findings highlight the need for targeted
interventions and support mechanisms to
address the stressors inherent in medical
education and promote student well-being. By
fostering a culture of resilience, fostering social
support networks, and promoting effective
coping strategies, academic institutions can
create environments that support student mental
health and academic success.
Moving forward, collaborative efforts among
educators,
administrators,
healthcare
professionals, and students are essential for
implementing evidence-based interventions and
policies that prioritize student well-being and
create a supportive learning environment. By
addressing the root causes of stress and
promoting a holistic approach to student
wellness, academic institutions can empower
medical students to thrive academically,
professionally, and personally.
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SJIF
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