Assessing the Vulnerable Stress Level of Hosteller and Day Scholars of a Medical College

Stress is the fact of medical education. Especially the First Year M.B., B.S. students are exposed to a greater physiological stress as they come across challenges like vast syllabus, social isolation, repeated examinations, high expectations from teachers and parents.

In addition, the stay in the hostel as compared to the homes as it's own advantages and drawbacks.

To assess stress levels of hosteller and day scholars of a medical college. In this study, we analysed the results of the General health Questionnaire and the blood pressure variations among hosteller and day scholar first year medical students before and during examination.

150 (100 males and 50 females) first year medical students, one month before and during examinations, were given the GHQ questionnaire. Their blood pressure was also recorded on both the occasions.

The study revealed significant increase in GHQ stress levels in both hostellers and day scholars one month before and during exams. Whereas there was no significant difference in stress levels among hostellers and day scholars.

The same results reflected upon male and female hosteller students except that male hostellers showed higher systolic BP during exams.

The study confirmed the general impression that there is a considerable amount of stress among the medical students with no significant difference between the hostellers and day scholars. Stressors in campus and in hostels should be identified and necessary interventions to reduce stress are highly recommended.