Stressors and psychological symptoms in students of medicine and allied health professions in Nigeria |
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Authors: | Olayinka O Omigbodun MBBS MPH FMCPsych Akin-Tunde A Odukogbe MBBS FMCOG Akinyinka O Omigbodun MBBS FMCOG O Bidemi Yusuf MSc Tolulope T Bella MBBS Oladopo Olayemi MBBS FMCOG |
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Institution: | (1) College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;(2) Dept. of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria |
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Abstract: | Background Studies suggest that high levels of stress and psychological morbidity occur in health care profession students. This study
investigates stressors and psychological morbidity in students of medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy and nursing at the University
of Ibadan.
Methods The students completed a questionnaire about their socio-demographic characteristics, perceived stressors and the 12-item
General Health Questionnaire. Qualitative methods were used initially to categorise stressors. Data was then analysed using
univariate and logistic regression to determine odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.
Results Medical and dental students were more likely to cite as stressors, overcrowding, strikes, excessive school work and lack of
holidays while physiotherapy and nursing students focused on noisy environments, security and transportation. Medical and
dental students (1.66; SD: 2.22) had significantly higher GHQ scores than the physiotherapy and nursing students (1.22; SD:
1.87) (t = 2.3; P = 0.022). Socio-demographic factors associated with psychological morbidity after logistic regression include being in a
transition year of study, reporting financial distress and not being a ‘Pentecostal Christian’. Although males were more likely
to perceive financial and lecturer problems as stressors and females to perceive faculty strikes and overcrowding as source
of stress, gender did not have any significant effect on psychological morbidity. Stressors associated with psychological
distress in the students include excessive school work, congested classrooms, strikes by faculty, lack of laboratory equipment,
family problems, insecurity, financial and health problems.
Conclusion Several identified stressors such as financial problems, academic pressures and their consequent effect on social life have
an adverse effect on the mental health of students in this environment especially for students of medicine and dentistry.
While stressors outside the reach of the school authorities are difficult to control, academic support including providing
a conducive learning environment, advice on means for sustenance, added support during periods of transition are key areas
for interventions. |
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Keywords: | stressors psychological morbidity health profession students |
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