The Prevalence of High Anxiety and Substance Use in University Students in the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of high anxiety and substance use among university students in the Republic of Macedonia. Material and methods: The sample comprised 742 students, aged 18–22 years, who attended the first (188 students) and second year studies at the Medical Faculty (257), Faculty of Dentistry (242), and Faculty of Law (55) within Ss. Cyril and Methodius Universityin Skopje. As a psychometric test the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used. It is a self-rating questionnaire used for measuring the severity of anxiety. A psychiatric interview was performed with students with BAI scores > 25. A self-administered questionnaire consisted of questions on the habits of substance (alcohol, nicotine, sedative-hypnotics, and illicit drugs) use and abuse was also used. For statistical evaluation Statistica 7 software was used. Results: The highest mean BAI scores were obtained by first year medical students (16.8 ± 9.8). Fifteen percent of all students and 20% of first year medical students showed high levels of anxiety. Law students showed the highest prevalence of substance use and abuse. Conclusion: High anxiety and substance use as maladaptive behaviours among university students are not systematically investigated in our country. The study showed that students show these types of unhealthy reactions, regardless of the curriculum of education. More attention should be paid to students in the early stages of their education. A student counselling service which offers mental health assistance needs to be established within University facilities in R. Macedonia alongside the existing services in our health system.

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Epilepsy perception amongst university students: a survey

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/s0004-282x2007001000007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 65 (suppl 1) ◽

pp. 43-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Juliana Caixeta ◽

Paula T. Fernandes ◽

Gail S. Bell ◽

Josemir W. Sander ◽

Li M. Li

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

University Students ◽

Inverse Relationship ◽

Training Programs ◽

First Year ◽

Science Students ◽

Science Courses ◽

Ideal Situation ◽

First Year Medical Students ◽

Different Levels

PURPOSE: To evaluate the information that university students have on epilepsy and to compare the differences in attitudes and perception among groups with different levels of information. METHODS: A questionnaire with 13 questions regarding knowledge, attitudes and perception about epilepsy was completed by first, third and sixth year medical students and to students from Arts and Science courses. RESULTS: First year medical students gave inadequate answers, especially with regard to information about epilepsy and actions to take during seizures. Answers of third and sixth year medical students were more adequate. Arts and Science students gave the poorest responses in relation to specialist information and attitudes regarding epilepsy. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that there is an inverse relationship between knowledge and stigma on epilepsy. Nevertheless, the best results did not reflect an ideal situation, revealing an urgent need for an improved level of overall health education programs. This can be achieved by implementing educational policies, training programs and the universal inclusion of these subjects in the global educational program.

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SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS, RELIGIOSITY, ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, AND SUBSTANCE USE AMONG FIRST-YEAR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.91.5.105-113 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 91 (5) ◽

pp. 105 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

KARL PELTZER

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Substance Use ◽

Academic Performance ◽

University Students ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

First Year ◽

First Year University

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Developing Nutrition Awareness in First Year Medical Students

Internal Medicine Research – Open Journal ◽

10.31038/imroj.1000101 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bruckner Geza

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Medical Students

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Positive effects of medical hypnosis on test anxiety in first year medical students

Innovations in Education and Teaching International ◽

10.1080/14703297.2021.1886971 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Christian M. Hammer ◽

Michael Scholz ◽

Larissa Bischofsberger ◽

Alexander Hammer ◽

Benedikt Kleinsasser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Test Anxiety ◽

First Year ◽

Positive Effects ◽

First Year Medical Students

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Variation in assessment of first-year medical students' interprofessional competencies by rater profession

Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice ◽

10.1016/j.xjep.2021.100424 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. 100424

Author(s):

Joseph B. House ◽

Lynze R. Franko ◽

Fatema Haque ◽

James A. Cranford ◽

Sally A. Santen

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Medical Students ◽

Interprofessional Competencies

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Are Future Doctors Prepared to Address Patients’ Nutritional Needs? Cooking and Nutritional Knowledge and Habits in Medical Students

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/15598276211018165 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155982762110181

Author(s):

Sam Sugimoto ◽

Drew Recker ◽

Elizabeth E. Halvorson ◽

Joseph A. Skelton

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Prior Knowledge ◽

The United States ◽

First Year ◽

Nutritional Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nutritional Needs ◽

Second Year ◽

First Year Medical Students

Background. Many diseases are linked to lifestyle in the United States, yet physicians receive little training in nutrition. Medical students’ prior knowledge of nutrition and cooking is unknown. Objective. To determine incoming medical students’ prior nutrition knowledge, culinary skills, and nutrition habits. Methods. A dual-methods study of first-year medical students. Cross-sectional survey assessing prior knowledge, self-efficacy, and previous education of cooking and nutrition. Interviews of second-year medical students explored cooking and nutrition in greater depth. Results. A total of 142 first-year medical students participated; 16% had taken a nutrition course, with majority (66%) learning outside classroom settings. Students had a mean score of 87% on the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire versus comparison group (64.9%). Mean cooking and food skills score were lower than comparison scores. Overall, students did not meet guidelines for fiber, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Interviews with second-year students revealed most learned to cook from their families; all believed it important for physicians to have this knowledge. Conclusions. Medical students were knowledgeable about nutrition, but typically self-taught. They were not as confident or skilled in cooking, and mostly learned from their family. They expressed interest in learning more about nutrition and cooking.

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A Qualitative Study of First-year Medical Students : Why do students want to become physicians? What kind of physicians do they want to become?

General Medicine ◽

10.14442/general2000.7.39 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 39-44

Author(s):

Yasushi Miyata ◽

Hajime Higashi ◽

Wari Yamamoto

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Medical Students

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The medical career choice motivations — Results from a Hungarian study

Open Medicine ◽

10.2478/s11536-011-0034-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 502-509 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Edmond Girasek ◽

Regina Molnár ◽

Edit Eke ◽

Miklós Szócska

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Career Choice ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Medical Doctor ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Students ◽

Economic Changes ◽

Traditional Health ◽

Medical Career ◽

First Year Medical Students

AbstractSome decades ago being a medical doctor was characterized unambiguously as a profession that offers help and serves the patients’ needs during medical treatment. In today’s society, this image of the medical profession has been substantially changed. The present paper aims to examine medical career choice motivations and preferences of choosing speciality, in the light of current social and economic changes in Hungary. The study was carried out by using a voluntary, self-administrated, questionnaire among first-year medical students and resident doctors in four medical faculties in Hungary. The career choice motivations of the first-year medical students and resident doctors are similar and match to the traditional health profession career choice motivations. Nevertheless the first-year students consider high income as one of the most important factors. They appear more conscious and more ambitious regarding their future speciality choice. The Hungarian health care system and medical education must be prepared for the presence of students that are aware of the high market value of a medical diploma, have excellent language skills, and consider migration as one main factor in their motivation when choosing a medical profession.

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