Impact of Covid-19 on mental health among medical students Rao U.S. Mahadeva1, Zin Thant1,*, Suganya M2, Kanasan Jivaneswaran AL1, Afriezul Afnan Anaqi Bin1, Roslan Siti Hajar Amirah Binti1, Seman Nur Syakirah Bt Che1, Khan Maizun Binti Mohamad Ali3 1Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia 2Post Graduate student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, People’s College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India 3Senior Medical Officer in Family Medicine, Klinik Kesihatan, Jalan Angsana, PulauPinang, Malaysia *Corresponding Author E-mail: thant@unisza.edu.myvictortz51@gmail.com
Online Published on 11 October, 2023. Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis affecting several nations. Such widespread outbreaks are associated with adverse mental health consequences. Objectives To conduct a survey-based assessment of mental health among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aimed at identifying severity levels of depression and anxiety, stressors related to the pandemic, and barriers students experienced in handling the pandemic-related stress. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was chosen as the study design for this research to study the association between demographic social and mental health among medical students during the pandemic COVID-19. Results The results of this study were collected by respondents through questionnaires as the respondents were needed to answer about 16 questions and the main question was asked mostly about their mental health condition during the pandemic COVID-19. 101 respondents participated in the study. Discussion The impact of COVID-19 on mental health among medical students has been studied. Due to the long-lasting pandemic situation and numerous measures such as lockdown and stay-at-home orders, COVID-19 brings negative impacts on higher education of medical students, self and social isolation, disconnection from friends and teachers resulting in more medical students than ever experiencing feelings of helplessness, isolation, grief, anxiety and depression. The issue of mental health is not only relevant but crucial. Demand for health support services has increased exponentially as a result. Conclusion In this study, severity levels of depression and anxiety, stressors related to the pandemic, and barriers students experienced in handling the pandemic-related stress have increased due to many factors such as social isolation, own health and the health of loved ones, financial difficulties, suicidal thoughts, depressive thoughts, class workload, changes in living environment, eating patterns and sleeping habits. Top Keywords Anxiety, COVID-19, Depression, Mental health, Pandemic, Stress. Top |