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1- Faculty of Medicine, Moraa University, Afshar, 1001, Kabul, Afghanistan
2- Center for Biomedical Research, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, Jawa Barat 16912, Indonesia ,ahmad.khalil.yaqubi@brin.go.id
3- Faculty of Economics, Moraa University, Afshar, 1001, Kabul, Afganistan
4- Nutrition and dietetics department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul gelisim University, Istanbul, 34310, Turkey
2- Center for Biomedical Research, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, Jawa Barat 16912, Indonesia ,
3- Faculty of Economics, Moraa University, Afshar, 1001, Kabul, Afganistan
4- Nutrition and dietetics department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul gelisim University, Istanbul, 34310, Turkey
Abstract: (15 Views)
Background & Objective: Perceived stress is an important concern in medical education because it may be related to students’ academic performance, physical health, and psychological well-being. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of general perceived stress measured during the examination period and to identify the academic, psychological, social, and institutional factors associated with moderate-to-high general perceived stress among male undergraduate medical students at Moraa University, Afghanistan.
Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among male undergraduate medical students at Moraa University, Afghanistan. Female students were not eligible because they were barred from higher education under the prevailing restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities. Of the 150 eligible male students enrolled in the active registry, 120 participants were selected using simple random sampling.
Results: Results: Among the 120 participants, 82.5% experienced moderate-to-high general perceived stress during the examination period, including 68.3% with moderate perceived stress and 14.2% with high perceived stress. Furthermore, 61.7% of students reported feeling upset because of unexpected events. In the final multivariable logistic regression model, excessive academic workload (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.45, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.32–4.56; p-value (p) = 0.004), high parental or family expectations (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.51–5.11; p = 0.001), financial difficulties (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.40–4.92; p = 0.002), lack of academic mentorship (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.05–3.60; p = 0.034), and difficulty managing multiple examinations (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.01–3.49; p = 0.046) were independently associated with moderate-to-high perceived stress.
Conclusion: Moderate-to-high general perceived stress was highly prevalent among male undergraduate medical students at Moraa University when assessed during the examination period. Several academic, social, and institutional factors were independently associated with elevated perceived stress. These findings may help medical schools identify modifiable educational and institutional factors that could inform strategies to support student well-being during academically demanding periods.
Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among male undergraduate medical students at Moraa University, Afghanistan. Female students were not eligible because they were barred from higher education under the prevailing restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities. Of the 150 eligible male students enrolled in the active registry, 120 participants were selected using simple random sampling.
Results: Results: Among the 120 participants, 82.5% experienced moderate-to-high general perceived stress during the examination period, including 68.3% with moderate perceived stress and 14.2% with high perceived stress. Furthermore, 61.7% of students reported feeling upset because of unexpected events. In the final multivariable logistic regression model, excessive academic workload (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.45, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.32–4.56; p-value (p) = 0.004), high parental or family expectations (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.51–5.11; p = 0.001), financial difficulties (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.40–4.92; p = 0.002), lack of academic mentorship (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.05–3.60; p = 0.034), and difficulty managing multiple examinations (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.01–3.49; p = 0.046) were independently associated with moderate-to-high perceived stress.
Conclusion: Moderate-to-high general perceived stress was highly prevalent among male undergraduate medical students at Moraa University when assessed during the examination period. Several academic, social, and institutional factors were independently associated with elevated perceived stress. These findings may help medical schools identify modifiable educational and institutional factors that could inform strategies to support student well-being during academically demanding periods.
Article Type : Orginal Research |
Subject:
Medical Education
Received: 2026/02/8 | Accepted: 2026/08/4
Received: 2026/02/8 | Accepted: 2026/08/4
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