1 Dr. Farzeen Khan, 2 Aqsa Mansoor Dar, 3 Hasan Raza , 4Mohib Raza , 5 Marwa Ali , 6Mobeen Ali
1Associate Professor, Community & Preventive Dentistry Department, Peshawar Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad
2Frontier Medical College Abbottabad
3PIMS
4PIMS
5PIMS
6PIMS
ABSTRACT:
Background: Stress levels among students in health-related fields, particularly dental and medical students, have been a topic of concern due to the rigorous academic and clinical demands. Understanding the contributing factors and coping mechanisms is crucial for improving their mental health and academic performance.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare stress levels, contributing factors, and coping mechanisms among dental and medical students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to April 2024 involving 120 students (60 dental and 60 medical) from a tertiary educational institution. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire that assessed stress levels, identified contributing factors, and explored coping mechanisms. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple regression analyses, were performed to compare the two groups.
Results: Dental students reported higher stress levels compared to medical students, with mean stress scores of 25.4 and 22.7, respectively (p<0.05). Contributing factors included academic pressure, clinical workload, and financial concerns. Dental students experienced more stress due to clinical workload, while medical students were more affected by academic pressure. Common coping mechanisms included exercise, social support, and time management strategies, with medical students favoring exercise and dental students relying more on social support.
Conclusion: The study concluded that dental students experienced higher stress levels than medical students, primarily due to clinical workload. Both groups utilized similar coping mechanisms, although preferences varied. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to address specific stressors in dental and medical education to enhance student well-being.
Keywords: Stress levels, dental students, medical students, contributing factors, coping mechanisms, comparative analysis.