Severity of anxious symptoms in nursing students of the University of Palermo

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The university student is vulnerable to the adverse effects of many stress factors that can lead to an increase in the burden of illness in young people. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anxious symptoms in the student population of the degree course in nursing at the University of Palermo. METHODS: The study design is observational. In the month of April 2019, a survey was provided to all nursing students of University of Palermo of the three years of course, accompanied by informed consent. The statistical significance level chosen for all analyzes was 0.05. The results were analyzed using the STATA statistical software version 14.XX Results are expressed as adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). This study was approved by the ethical committee of the University Hospital "P. Giaccone" of Palermo, Minutes No. 02/2019 (15. Studio A.D.A.3) of February 18, 2019. RESULTS : The sample size consists of 493 students that agreed to the informed consent and completed the questionnaire. The average age of the sample is 21.88 years (standard deviation±3.38), 67.55% of the interviewees are women. Regarding bivariate analysis, statistically significant differences were found for the following variables: "gender," "year of study," "do you perform regular physical activity," "perceived health status." The analysis shows that the risk to have anxious symptomatology moderate-severe is significantly associated with the following independent variables: female gender (aOR 2.83, 95% CI : 1.26-6.38, P=0.012); age class <22 years old (aOR 2.19, 95% CI : 1.04-4.63, P=0.040); second year of study (aOR 4.14, 95% CI : 1.84-9.32, P=0.001); third year of study (aOR 2.83, 95% CI : 1.26- 6.38, p<0.001); regular physical activity (aOR 2.93, 95% CI : 1.38-6.23, P=0.005); low perceived health status (aOR 3.22, 95% CI : 1.69-6.14, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For nursing students, it is very important to have a good psychiatric health, not only for the university course, but also for their future job, that represents a job in which mental health is fundamental to endure the stress they are subjected to every day. Just for this, is important to improve the quality of life of students and prevent the future development of mental diseases. In view of the findings of our study, should be necessary to improve mental health promotion campaigns through seminars for students about youth issues and about mental health.