Abstract
The present study was to evaluate the examination stress of the first year MBBS students, prior to their university exam by assessing the mood parameters and cortisol level. A cross sectional study was conducted in 150 students of Indira Medical College, Thiruvallur from January to February 2022. The assessment methods implemented were Self-administered, pre-designed questionnaire of DASS 10 scale scoring 0-40, and salivary cortisol by using quantitative ELISA on relaxed (before exam) and stressed (on day of exam) students with prior consent. Respondent data were analysed using the independent t-test and Odds ratio logistic regression analysis was done for strength of association by using (SPSS) version 26.0 and the level of significance *p≤0.05. The prevalence of stress (43%), anxiety (35%), depression (22%) and level of cortisol (2.61±0.41 and 5.14±0.35) between relaxed and stressed respectively were significantly increased due to examination stress despite any significant change in academic performance. Odds ratio of stress (95% CI 2.153), anxiety (3.038), depression (2.513) and salivary cortisol (2.872) were significantly high in stressed. Female students were found to be more susceptible to stress than male students due to examination (p≤0.001**). This study suggests that the medical education and examination are unavoidable stressor in first year students. This could be prevented by providing stress reduction interventions and orientation programmes which could improve student mental well-being and reduce the psychological distress.