Philippine E-Journals

An analytical cross-sectional study on the association between animal companionship and anxiety among students of a private medical school in Quezon City

Lea Marielle Belo | Joyce Ann M. Bautista | Ma. Victoria V. Bautista | Ronald Christopher A. Bautista | KC Joyce M. Beltran | Franco Rivas M. Cananea | Ronan Kristoffer P. Casquejo | Laya Krista B. Catalla | Rajen Kate M. Cayabyab | Kate Anne G. Cendaña | Ryle Jarrenz S. Ching | Jose Ronilo G. Juangco

Discipline: Health

 

Abstract:

Introduction Constant stress predisposes medical students to anxiety. The study aimed to determine the association between animal companionship and anxiety among medical students at UERMMMCI. Methods The study utilized an analytical cross-sectional design via an online form with the anxiety portion of the HADS questionnaire. Participants included first to third year medical students of a private medical school. Results A total of 161 responses were recorded. Sex and year-level exhibited significant association with anxiety. Those with anxiety were 2.71 times more likely to be females (p = 0.007). Stratification showed that those with anxiety were 1.72 times less likely to be females with pets (p = 0.37) while, in contrast, those with anxiety were 3.64 times more likely (p = 0.02) to be males with pets. Those with anxiety were likely to belong to first and second-years (p = 0.01 and p = 0.06), respectively and pet owners, though, not statistically significant (p = 0.357). Conclusion An association between sex and year-level with anxiety was noted. Those with anxiety were likely to be females, first-years, and males with animal companionship. Although they did not reach statistical significance.