Abstract

Background: Medical education is highly challenging and often places heavy demands on mental resources of its students, stretching their psychological distress and making them vulnerable to high levels of negative affective states. Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the degree of stress prevalent among the Post Graduate students of Gandhi Medical College Bhopal & to identify probable factors responsible for it. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out amongst 75 post graduate students of GMC, Bhopal, over a period of three months. Convenient sampling method was used. Semi-structured questionnaire, prepared using Stress Indicator Questionnaire was used for assessment. statistical analysis carried out using Epi-info 7.1.Result: Out of 75 Post graduate students 36 (48%) were males and 39 (52%) were females. Maximum respondents, 59 (78.67%) were of ≤30 years of age. 76% were from clinical branches and 53.33% were first year residents. Physical and emotional factors were found to be responsible for highest levels of stress among the post graduate students. Conclusion: Participants from clinical branches showed higher degree of physical stress as compared to those from non clinical. Male subjects had a higher degree of emotional stress as compared to the female subjects. Post graduates had poor knowledge and access regarding stress busting measures.

Key words: Keywords: Post graduate students, Stress Indicator Questionnaire, Stress, Cross-sectional study.