Perceived Stress Prevalence and Demographic Associations Among Undergraduate Students in Erode District, Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: An human may experience stress when they are unable to effectively manage
past, present, and future circumstances. The elevated degree of stress experienced by
Undergraduate students can be attributed to their requirement to acquire a wide range of
proficiencies, including theoretical knowledge, clinical competencies, and interpersonal skills.
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of perceived stress among undergraduate college
students in the Erode area. Methods: An observational study was carried out among students
ranging from their first year to final year in a district of Erode, spanning from May 2023 to
August 2023. The study involved 291 participants, with a mean age of 20.00 ± 1.51 years, with
27.15% medical, 31.62% nursing, 23.02% physiotherapy, 18.21% art & science, and 53.26%
first and second-year students. The convenience sampling method was employed. Data
collection was conducted subsequent to obtaining ethical approval from the institutional review
committee.