Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL STRESS LEVEL AND ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES AMONG THE STUDENTS DURING THE LOCKDOWN OF COVID-19 SECOND WAVE- AN ONLINE SURVEY

Srivastava Niraj*, Saxena Varsha, Dadhich Nand Kishor, Jain Nishant Rai, Gehlot Sangeeta and Singh B. M.

ABSTRACT

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a pandemic of the 21st century has affected the wellbeing of all the individuals and economies of almost all nations worldwide. COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant psychological influence on the professional education. The objective of the current questionnaire-based study was to access the level of mental stress and academic difficulties among the Ayurvedic college student of Dehradun, Uttarakhand (India) during lockdown of COVID- 19 second wave. Methods: An observational survey was undertaken among the first to final year students of two Ayurvedic colleges in Dehradun, Uttarakhand in the second phase of lockdown. A pretested self-administered questionnaire using Google forms was used for the data collection. Data were collected on demographic profile, perceived stress scale (PSS) and academic difficulties. The survey was conducted during 10 May to 10 June 2021 and active for a period of 30 days. Results: Total 311 students responded to the questionnaire. Mostly participants were female (64.3%) and belong to age group 21 to 24 years. In this study, 81.7 % of the students had moderate stress, 14.1% had high stress. Students from all the four years reported being stressed and academic factors were one of the most important stressors. Conclusion: This study shows that COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant psychological influence on all the four years BAMS students. Stress is more common in female students during COVID-19 lockdown. It is suggested that mental health of college students should be monitored during such unusual circumstances as the pandemic and stress management education should be done as routine program. Less than 50% students revealed average response about online education.

Keywords: COVID-19; Uttarakhand, second wave, Lockdown; Pandemic; Stress scale; Ayurveda.