STRESS AND IT IS IMPACT AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN HAIL UNIVERSITY.KSA

Background: Medical education is perceived as being stressful, and a high level of stress may have a negative effect on cognitive functioning and learning of students in a medical school. This study was conducted to assess the perceived stress among medical undergraduate students and find an association of perceived stress with academic characteristics and various stressors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduate students in colleges of medicine, dentistry and pharmacology in Hail University, KSA. A total of 312 medical students from 2nd year to 6th year in the 3 colleges were invited to participate in the study. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding sociodemographic profile, perceived stress, academic, psychosocial and environmental stressors and spss was used to analyze the data. The study found that, 95.5% of participants were suffering from stress during their academic year. Vastness of academic curriculum and fear of poor performance in examination were important determinants of perceived stress. The perceived stress was higher among higher age group and final year medical students. Academic, psychosocial, and environmental stressors are associated with perceived stress. Reframing the academic curriculum and examination patterns, incorporating recreational activities in the institution is needed.