Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: January | Volume: 3 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 23-30
Perceived Stress in Diploma Pharmacy Students: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Analysis of First and Second Year Students
Chinmoyee Baruah1*, Anindita Mahanta2*, Mahua Bhaumik Singha3**
1Assistant Professor, 2Demonstrator, 3Lecturer,
*Department of Physiology, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati-781032.
**Institute of Pharmacy, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati-32.
Corresponding Author: Chinmoyee Baruah
ABSTRACT
Students especially those in professional courses, are exposed to different types of stress. High levels of stress may have a negative impact on academic performance as well as other aspects of a students’ life. Studies regarding stress in pharmacy students are very few despite requirements by accreditation agencies for academic institutions to assess perceived stress in students. The present study was carried out in the Institute of Pharmacy, Gauhati Medical College among the first and second-year students of Diploma Pharmacy course to assess the levels and sources of stress among the student pharmacists. 72 students took part in the study. The mean PSS score was 20.06±4.83 (19.64±4.22 in males and 21.79±6.73 in females). 50% students reported feeling nervous/stressed fairly often/very often. The most common stressors were related to academics such as performance in examination, expectation after graduation and increased class workload. Identifying the common student stressors and initiating appropriate steps to alleviate student stress helps to establish a good learning environment in a teaching institute.
Keywords: students, pharmacy, stress.