Prevalence and Factors Related to Stress among Undergraduate Students in a Northeast Thailand Province

Abstract

          This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of general stress and factors related to general stress in undergraduate students in a northeast Thailand province. Participants were selected using 2-stages random sampling consisting of 257 participants. The stress assessment tool (2-stage developed by the department of mental health, Thailand) was used to evaluate the level of stress and general information was collected. Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to explore the relation between independent variables and stress status.          The results showed that prevalence of stress at above normal, moderate stress and high stress was 31.5 (CI 26.3-37.4), 7.4 (CI 4.3-10.7) and 9.3 (CI 5.6-12.7) respectively, mean stress score was 17.99 (SD 7.56) out of 60. Female had higher prevalence of stress than male at 0.05 level (p=.009). Risk factors for stress were female (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.47-7.10, grade point average 3.50 or more (aOR 2.72, 95% CI 1.25-5.90), has 3 siblings or more compared to having 1-2 siblings (aOR 3.03, 95% CI 1.33-6.92) and insufficient money (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.14-4.59).          The results suggest that surveillance and stress program should be considered due to the high prevalence and risk groups must be aware and focused on preventing stress especially personal risk factors.