Survey to Assess Perceived Causes of Stress, Its Manifestations and Coping Strategies Among Dental College Students in Maharashtra During COVID-19 Lockdown
Meenakshi Sreeram*
and Mona. A. MundadaDepartment of General Human Physiology and Biochemistry, MGV’s KBH Dental College and Hospital, Nasik, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Maharashtra, India- 422 003.
Corresponding Author E-mail: s.meenakshi492@gmail.com
Abstract:
Objectives: Various studies across the globe have emphasized the importance of monitoring stress levels among students pursuing professional courses, especially medical and dental students. The pandemic caused by the novel Corona virus affected the lives of people and economies of almost all nations in a manner no one could have ever fathomed. Unexpected and unprecedented changes have occurred in the way we work, study, interact, travel and many aspects of the way we humans lead our lives.The period of lockdown was a difficult period for everyone, more so for the youth, as they were forced to remain indoors, now no longer being able to physically interact with their friends,go to college, visit malls, socialize, pursue pass-times and hobbies or generally have a life that the younger generation is used to.Academic activities initially came to a standstill before shifting to online mode which was new to both, teachers and students. The objective of the current questionnaire-based study was to find out the perceived stress levels during the COVID-19 lockdown among the students and how capable they think they are to cope with these testing times.
Methods: This survey was undertaken among the students from first to final year of a dental college in Nasik, Maharashtra in the first phase of lockdown in India from 22 Mar 2020 to 14 April 2020. A pretested self-administered questionnaire using Google forms was used for the data collection after getting approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee.
Results and Conclusions:Students from all the four years reported being stressed and academic factors were one of the most important stressors. During the lockdown, portion completion, delay in academic activities, uncertainties of the disease and the impending exams were the main causes of anxiety and stress. Continuous student engagement during the period and the availability of a staff to discuss and talk out a problem helped in a big way.It is suggested that mental health of college students should be monitored during such unusual circumstances as the pandemic. The introduction of stress management education into the curriculum could prove useful to the students to help them deal with any such situation in the future.
Keywords: COVID-19; Lockdown; Mental health; Novel Corona Virus; Pandemic; Stress Back to TOC