Stress Perceived by University Health Sciences Students, 1 Year after COVID-19 Pandemic

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 14;18(10):5233. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105233.

Abstract

Today's COVID-19 situation can affect university Health Sciences students' psychological health. This study aimed to analyze the stress caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Health Sciences students from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) almost 1 year after the pandemic began. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 252 university students who completed a self-administered online questionnaire. It evaluated the impact of perceived stress with a modified scale (PSS-10-C), and assessed anxiety and depression on the Goldberg scale. Students presented stress (13.1%), anxiety (71.4%) and depression (81%). Females (81.7%) and the third-year Occupational Therapy students (p = 0.010) reported perceived stress. Nursing students perceived less stress (OR: 0.148; 95% CI: 0.026 to 0.842). University students developed stress and anxiety due to COVID-19 almost 1 year after the pandemic began. Psychological support measures for these groups should be prioritized.

Keywords: COVID-19; anxiety; depression; stress; university health students.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Students
  • Universities