J Educ Eval Health Prof.  2014;11:27. 10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.27.

Higher stress scores for female medical students measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) in Pakistan

• Qamar K
• Kiani MR
• Ayyub A
• Khan AA
• Osama M

• KMID: 2380946
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.27

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the stress level of medical students and the relationship between stress and academic year. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at an undergraduate medical school with a five-year curriculum, in Pakistan, from January 2014 to April 2014. Medical students in the first four years were included in the study. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), a self-administered questionnaire, was distributed to the students. A total of 445 medical students completed the questionnaire. The average stress score was 19.61 (SD=6.76) with a range from 10 to 43. Stress was experienced by 169 students (41.7%). The scores of female students were higher than scores of males, indicating a higher stress level (P=0.011). The relationship between stress and academic year was insignificant (P=0.392).

Keyword

Cross-sectional studies; Medical students; Pakistan; Psychological stress; Questionnaires

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Curriculum
Female
Humans
Male
Pakistan*
Schools, Medical
Stress, Psychological
Students, Medical*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Distribution of stress scores for 405 students enrolled in an army medical school in Pakistan, surveyed from January 2014 to April 2014 (mean±SD, 19.61±6.761; N=405).

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  Fig. 2. Comparison of stress scores according to academic year for 405 medical students enrolled in an army medical school in Pakistan, surveyed from January 2014 to April 2014.

Reference

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2. Kessler RC, Andrews G, Colpe LJ, Hiripi E, Mroczek DK, Normand SL, Walters EE, Zaslavsky AM. Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychol Med. 2002; 32:959–976. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033291702006074.