Effects of Stress on Students in College of Applied Medical Sciences

Stress causes serious health effects involving changes in respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, skeletal, muscular and immune systems. Students in almost all health specialties, including medical sciences, dentistry and applied medical sciences are known to be stressful. Although, a large number of papers are published on stress related to students in medical colleges, there is a paucity of literature on the students of applied medical sciences, despite of a profound burden of courses; curriculum, clinical and field work on these students.

The aim of this study was to measure and monitor the stress levels among the students of College of Applied Medical Science (CAMS), King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) and uncover the challenges faced by them.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted by administering a questionnaire to the students. Twenty-one basic questions were framed in the questionnaire.

The results obtained showed that majority of the students experienced a normal level of stress, while none felt extreme stress. The stress levels were least in first and the fourth year, while maximum level of stress was observed in the third year.

The findings of a high level of stress among the CAMS students in the professional years indicate an academic stress faced by them. It is recommended that awareness about stress, stressors and proper way to cope up the hassle has to be developed among the students by their participation in stress management courses