Psychological impact and coping mechanisms among sudanese medical students: a study on anxiety, depression, behavioral, and cognitive changes post COVID-19 lockdown and ongoing conflict.

Journal: BMC psychology

Volume: 13

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2025

Affiliated Institutions:  National University, Khartoum, Sudan. alimhsd@gmail.com. Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan. ahmadzamel@gmail.com. National University, Khartoum, Sudan. Doud Research Group, Khartoum, Sudan.

Abstract summary 

Mental health is crucial for overcoming obstacles, completing tasks, and contributing to society. Mental, social, and cognitive healths are included. In demanding fields like medicine, academic pressure can cause exhaustion, poor performance, and behavioral changes. Mental health must be addressed to improve student success and well-being. Medical students' coping strategies, anxiety, depression, and behavioral changes in uncontrollable situations will be studied.A cross-sectional study involved 393 medical students from various universities in Khartoum. Data was collected using an online questionnaire to assess mental health responses during both controllable and uncontrollable situations across all academic years.Data analysis using SPSS 27 indicated minimal missing data (0.25%) among the 393 participants. PHQ-4 scores assessed psychological distress, anxiety, and depression. The study found that 74.2% of participants experienced behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes. Significant associations were observed between PHQ-4 scores and these changes (p < .05) using Chi-Square testing. Most participants were females aged 20 to 22, primarily from the Medicine and Pharmacy departments. The study revealed that most individuals utilized pharmacological coping strategies following significant life changes due to uncontrollable situations.The study highlights that women experienced stress, dissatisfaction, concern, and anger more frequently than men during ongoing war and the post-COVID-19 lockdown. Medical students faced substantial challenges in behavior, emotions, and cognition during societal unrest, including fatigue, feelings of failure, and sleep disturbances. Over 74% reported multiple changes in their emotions and behaviors. Coping strategies included nicotine, sleeping aids, socializing, exercise, venting, meditation, and journaling.

Authors & Co-authors:  Saeed Ali Awadallah AA Al Zamel Ahmad Mohammad AM Abass Abrar Abdu AA Mohammed Aisha Ahmed AA Abdallh Fidaaldeen Adil FA Ali Hiba Elhadi HE Hassan Nooralain Mohammed NM Osman Raad Mohammed RM Mohammed Toga Abdelmutaal TA Yousif Azza Osman AO Eisa Lamya Bashir LB

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Alsalman Z, Shafey MM, Al-Khofi A, Alessa J, Bukhamsin R, Bokhuwah M, et al. Barriers to mental health service utilisation among medical students in Saudi Arabia. Front Public Health. 2024;12. 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1371628.
Authors :  11
Identifiers
Doi : 37
SSN : 2050-7283
Study Population
Men,Women,Females
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Anxiety;COVID-19;Coping;Depression;Medical students;Sudan;War
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Sudan
Publication Country
England