Perceived stress among male medical students in Egypt and Saudi Arabia : Effect of sociodemographic factors

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESIn Arab countries, epidemiological data about psychological morbidity among medical undergraduate students are scarce. This study sought to determine whether there was a difference in perceived stress levels of male medical students at Mansoura University, Egypt, compared with male medical students at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.METHODSThe sample consisted of 304 male medical students in Egypt and and 284 male medical students in Saudi Arabia. The self-reported questionnaire covered four categories, including 15 items, on sources of stress (stressors). The perceived stress scale and hospital anxiety and depression scale were used to measure stress, anxiety and depression.RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the two groups in number of stressors. However, Egyptian students were more likely to cite relationship, academic and environmental problems than Saudis. The prevalence of high stress was nearly equal in both groups. However, anxiety and depression were significantly higher among Egyptian than Saudi students. A logistic regression analysis of independent predictors of severe stress among both groups combined revealed that a satisfactory family income and university-graduated father were independent protective factors. The independent risk predictors were anxiety and number of stressors.CONCLUSIONSStress, anxiety and depression are frequent among medical students. Counseling and preventive mental health services should be an integral part of the routine clinical facilities caring for medical students.

Evaluation of factors affecting psychological morbidity in emergency medicine practitioners

“…This study specifi ed that broken sleep and poor quality of sleep could be underlying causes of stress. [24] El-Gilany et al [25] evaluated effects of sociodemographic factors on medical students' stress and they confirmed that stress, anxiety and depression were all frequent among medical students. Another study was conducted on medical and dental students and concluded that work stress levels depended signifi cantly on the type of profession and time of work experience.…”

Depression among Medical versus Non-Medical Students in Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukaramah, Saudi Arabia

“…This result may be attributed to some factors that affect medical more than non-medical students like inappropriate teaching methods, poor learning environment and worry about failure which were commonly mentioned by medical more than non-medical students [5]. The stressors identified in one study were congested classrooms, troubles with teachers and fear of future [6]. Also, condensed academic courses, nationality (being non-Saudi) or having an emotional failure, all these make students more prone to anxiety and depression [3].…”

Perceived Clinical Stressors among Saudi Nursing Students

“…For example; year one consists of (level 1 and level 2), year 2 consists of (level 3 and 4), year 3 consists of (level 5 and 6), year 4 consists of (year 7 and 8), and year 5 consists of level 9 [9]. Nursing students in Sau- According to the literature, nursing students in Saudi Arabia faces stress from their clinical environment's [3] [10] [11]. This negative experience, due to stress, can limit students learning and teaching and affect the overall quality of patient care [12].…”