Perceived stress and sources of stress among pharmacy students in Malaysian public and private universities: a comparative study

Authors

  • Mustafa Ahmed Alshagga Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Selangor & University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
  • Nor Zahidah Mohd Nasir Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Selangor
  • Alireza Behzadnia Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Kota Ilmu Educity@Iskandar
  • Malina Jasamai Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
  • Aied Al-Absi University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
  • Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur

Keywords:

Malaysia, Perceived Stress Scale, Pharmacy Students, Sources of Stress

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the level of stress and its associated factors among pharmacy students in a public university and a private university. A cross-sectional study was carried out recruiting all pharmacy students in two pharmacy faculties in Malaysia, using an online self-administered questionnaire in English. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic factors, sources of stress and the validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The mean (±SD) age was 20.7 (± 1.2) years and the age ranged 19 - 29 years. The majority of respondents were female (79.6 %) and Malays (53.9 %). There was a significant association between PSS-10 and ''study in general'' and ''assignments'' (p<0.01), among students in the public university. In the private university, stress was significantly associated with ''living cost (p=0.045), ''living away from family'' (p=0.043) and ''lack of recreational time'' (p=0.016). Exams, financial problems, peer competition and final projects, and fear of future were associated with stress among students in both universities. In conclusion, the pharmacy students perceived stress similar in public and private universities. Academic-related stressors were significant in public university, while life-related stressors were significant in private one. 

Author Biographies

Mustafa Ahmed Alshagga, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Selangor & University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sceinces & School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

Nor Zahidah Mohd Nasir, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Selangor

Faculty of Pharmacy

Alireza Behzadnia, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Kota Ilmu Educity@Iskandar


Malina Jasamai, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Drugs and Herbal Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy

Aied Al-Absi, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

Department of Oral Biology & Biomedical Sciences

Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur

Department of Community Medicine

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Published

20-04-2015

How to Cite

Alshagga, M. A., Nasir, N. Z. M., Behzadnia, A., Jasamai, M., Al-Absi, A., & Al-Dubai, S. A. R. (2015). Perceived stress and sources of stress among pharmacy students in Malaysian public and private universities: a comparative study. Pharmacy Education, 15. Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/352

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Section

Research Article