Repercussion of Academic Stress on Vital Parameters among Medical Students of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: An increased stress is a common cause of mental fatigue and physical consumption among medical students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of stress on vital parameters during students’ examination and to highlight the importance of personal well being among medical students. METHODOLOGY: The major aim of this study was to assess the effect of academic stress on vital parameters in medical students. This study was carried out in Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad in September to October 2018. The subjects selected for the study were final year MBBS students. Data was collected before and during the examinations. After taking their due consent, physical parameters such as blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic), heart rate were measured and psychological parameters like perceived stress and total mood disturbance were evaluated. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-22. RESULTS: Parameters like blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) and total mood disturbance score   with a p-value of <.01 showed significant difference during examination. However other variables like age, height, weight, BMI, heart rate, and perceived stress score showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that students during examinations were under pressure which resulted in anxiety and stress. Total Mood Disturbance is considered a more reliable and prominent factor in interpretation of a student's stressed and disturbed state. It is more closely related to the stress state of students than any other.