Stress levels, health seeking behaviours and academic performance among third year medical students at Makerere university

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Stress Levels, Health Seeking behaviors and Academic Performance. The study was guided by three stated objectives: To determine the relationship between Stress Levels and Academic Performance among students; To examine the relationship between Stress Levels and Health Seeking behaviour. To establish relationship between Health Seeking behaviors and Academic Performance among students. The study used descriptive correlational research design with quantitative approach. The population of the study was 120 students . the researcher used a sample size of 92 students male being 17 and 82 females who were adopted using random sampling and convenient techniques, Data was analyzed in SPSS version 25.0. The findings of the study revealed that there is significant negative relationship between Stress Levels and Academic Performance(r=-597,p<0.01)The results also showed that there is a significant negative relationship between Health Seeking behaviors and Academic Performance(r=.251,p<0.01). Additionally,the results also showed a significant negative relationship between stress levels and health seeking behaviours (r=.323 ,p<0.01) This implies that, these findings provided a foundation for interventions to be created in order to facilitate stress management, promote health seeking behaviours in order to improve students overall academic performance and well being. It can therefore be recommended that the lecturers as well as school authority (Director of Academic Affairs,DVD Academic Affairs,and Dean of student Affairs) should collaboratively guide students on how to develop and improve their academic performance for example ensuring that the learning atmosphere is conducive for the students in order to reduce stress levels among students