Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of anxiety in
medical students of Rawal Institute of Health Sciences,
Islamabad, Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was
conducted from 28th Feb to 30th June 2017 using the
non-probability convenience method sampling at
Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad. Total
250 students from of 1st to 5th-year MBBS were
included by selecting every 2nd student of each class.
A close-ended questionnaire was used by interview
method.
Results: Response regarding nervousness before an
exam revealed that 38% showed no signs of
nervousness, 52% felt nervous, and 10% had always
experienced nervousness. Response regarding mind
goes blank during an exam showed that 34% never
experienced this, 54% experienced it sometimes,
whereas 12% always had. Response regarding troubled
sleep the night before an exam showed that 37% had
never experienced this problem, and 34% had trouble
sleeping sometimes whereas 29% had always.
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of anxiety
in medical students.
Keywords: Anxiety, nervousness, medical students