Perceived sources of stress in Nigerian dental students
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Date
2006
Authors
Sofola, OO
Jeboda, SO
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Blackwell Munksgaard. European Journal of Dental Education
Abstract
Abstract The objective of this study was to identify sources of
stress among dental students at the University of Lagos, Lagos,
Nigeria. A modified Dental Environment Stress (DES) questionnaire
was used to study the 137 students in years 3–6, of which
105 (76.6%) responded. Results show that the year 5 students
indicated the highest level of stress overall on items relating to
pre-clinical training with 21 (70%) recording aggregate DES
score over the cut-off point for high stress. For clinical items,
nearly all the students – 27(90%) of year 5 and 24 (100%) of year
6 recorded aggregates over the cut-off point. The most important
stressors were those related to the lack of provision of a wellsupported
system of dental education in Nigeria in terms of
availability of materials for clinical training and study materials.
There were no significant differences in stress perception
between genders. However, students who chose Medicine as
their first choice for admission with Dentistry as an alternative
experienced significantly higher overall mean and higher mean
scores for most items. In conclusion, it appears there is a need to
improve support for dental education in Nigeria.
Description
Keywords
stress, dental students