A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS OF COVID-19 AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN SELECTED COLLEGE AT VIRUDHUNAGAR

Covid-19 outbreak has affected not only physical health but also mental health and well-being. The rates of mental health symptoms among Chinese general population during the covid-19 pandemic were 27.9% for depression and 31.6% for anxiety. Nursing students may be shunned, harassed and even blamed as potential covid-19 spreaders, though they were an important reserve force against covid-19 and other diseases. Of note, the psychological impact of covid-19 on nursing students remained unclear. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the depression, anxiety and stress of covid-19 among nursing students. Materials and Methods: Non experimental design was used. By using purposing sampling 165 nursing students at the age group of 18-24 years were selected. 21- item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the depression anxiety and stress among nursing students. Results : Maximum number of students were in the age group of 19-20 years (44%),Maximum students were in I year 48 ( 29%), Maximum students were residing at rural areas 74 (45%), Majority of the students 152 (92%) were Hindus, Majority of the students 134 (81%) were living in nuclear family and majority of the students 76 (46%) were have a family income of Rs 10,000/ to Rs 20,000/.From the sample, About depression, majority of the students 114(69%) were not experienced depression.20(12%),15(9%),10(6%)and 6(4%) students were in mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe level of depression respectively. About anxiety, majority of the students 91(55%) were not experienced anxiety.18(11%),32(19%),11(7%) and 13(8%) students were in mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe level of anxiety. About stress, majority of the students 137(83%) were not experienced stress. 13(8%),11(7%),4(2%) students were in mild, moderate and severe level of stress and no students were found in extremely severe level of stress. Conclusion As Nursing students are an important reserve force against the covid-19 pandemic, special psychological interventions should be implemented to assure their mental health.