Perceived Stress Levels and Sleep Quality in First-Year MBBS Students: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The first MBBS year involves abrupt academic escalation, competitive pressure, psychosocial adaptation, and disrupted routines, predisposing students to psychological stress and impaired sleep.Stress-mediated HPA axis activation elevates cortisol and sympathetic tone, while poor sleep worsens cognition and emotional regulation.Questionnaire-based screening enables early identification of stress-sleep interaction in high-risk students.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 consenting first-year MBBS students aged 17-22 years who completed PSS-10 for perceived stress (low: 0-13; moderate: 14-26; high: 27-40) and PSQI for sleep quality (>5=poor sleep) anonymously during lecture hours.Gender differences were analysed using an independent t-test, and the stress-sleep association was analysed using Pearson's correlation.Results: A total of 150 first-year MBBS students (age 17-22 years; mean age 18.6±1.2years) participated, comprising 78 males and 72 females.Pre-sleep gadget use (72%) and evening caffeine consumption (56%) were commonly reported.The cohort demonstrated a mean PSS-10 score of 21.4±5.8,indicating moderate perceived stress, and a mean PSQI global score of 7.2±2.9,reflecting poor subjective sleep quality.Female students showed significantly higher stress perception and poorer sleep quality compared to males (p