The Prevalence and Related Factors of Stress among the First Year of Residents in a Medical School

Abstract

Objectives : To determine the prevalence and related factors of stress among the first year of residents in a medical school.

Method : A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted during the period from December 2007 to January 2008. Self- administered questionnaires were distributed to 192 first year residents in a medical school.

Result : There were 162 (84.4%) residents replying these self-administered questionnaires. The preval-ence of stress in the first year of resident was 58.0 percent. Significant related factors of stress were training in medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR), anes-thesia and also hesitation in decision to train, excess of overtime work, finishing their work beyond 6.00 p.m., pressure in co-operating with other department to care for patients, sleep deprivation and inappropriate fringe benefit.

Conclusion : The prevalence of stress in the first year of resident was high. These findings should be considered to improve their stress during residency training.