Impact of gender/sex on academic examination related stress symptom profile in special reference to sleep among medical students

This study was done to examine the prevalence of psycho-physiological parameters and pattern of parameters among male and female students due to examination stress and to study the impact of gender/sex on academic examination related stress symptom profile in special reference to sleep and insomnia among medical students during one medical academic examination of first year student.

This class room based study was carried out on one hundred and fifteen first-year students [88 male and 27 female]. A self-administered questionnaire established Stress Scale to assess on stress related neuro behavioral physiological parameters like sleep, appetite, ability to concentration, decision making… was given to students to before an academic examination and the prevalence of symptoms of stress were assessed and compared among both male female students in special reference to sleep problems.

There were 115 positive responses out of 150 students suggesting significant stress. The positive stress among students was 76% i.e. 76% of study group have significant stress related to examination. The most common symptoms were problems related to sleep i.e. Insomnia, bodily pains, poor concentration, decision making, worrying among both male and females group among all sleep and pain were significantly high among female group. Abnormal sleep habits, with a statistically significant increase in female students (p =). Their Abnormal sleep pattern defined as subjective feeling of insufficient sleep duration, delayed sleep onset, and occurrence of napping episodes during the day.

76% of students were documents significant stress during examination period. A high prevalence of abnormal sleep pattern i.e. Insomnia was found among both male and female group of students and significant more among female students. Because of examination related stress and insomnia some students were prone to benzodiazepine group of drugs and later on may become dependent on such drugs. Instead of such unhealthy coping strategies, healthy coping strategies/skills are recommended for coping such problems i.e. relaxation, meditation, yoga, pranayam, light music and some spiritual prayers.