Comparison of Health Status among Junior and Senior Students of Nursing and Medicine in Semnan University of Medical Sciences in 2011-2012 Academic Years

Introduction: Due to the nature of the work in hospitals and direct communication with patients, medical and nursing students are faced with the danger of general health loss. This study aimed to assess general health among junior and senior students of nursing and medicine in Semnan University of Medical Sciences considering some demographic characteristics. Methods: This cross sectional study included a study population of first-year and senior nursing and medical students in Semnan University of Medical Sciences during 2011-12 academic years who were selected through census (n=137). Data collection tool was a 28-item questionnaire on general health (GHQ-28). Scoring method was a 5-point Likert Scale and lower scores showed higher levels of general health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test and significance level lower than 0.05 points. Results: The highest and the lowest mean scores of general health in first and last years of medicine were respectively observed in physical symptoms (1.42±7.9) and symptoms of depression (0.87±4.41). Besides, the highest and the lowest mean scores of general health in first and last years of nursing were respectively observed in somatic symptoms (1.38±5.34) and social function (1.30±9). Mean and standard deviation of total scores of general health among first-year and last-year medical students were respectively 2.29±6.39 and 2.18±7.6 that showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.029). Conclusion: With regard to the low health scores of general health among final year medical students, studying the causes for this phenomenon and identifying the factors can lead to elimination of these probable disorders