Effect of Pre and Post Academic Examination Stress on Serum Level of Cortisol and Progesterone Circulation amongst Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus Anambra State, Nigeria
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Stress has become an important issue in academic circle as well as in our society. Academic examination stress was considered an important factor to increased circulation of cortisol and progesterone amongst students. Therefore this study was designed to determine cortisol and progesterone levels in apparently healthy students (n=30) during a day examination and those who have no examination served as control subjects (n=30). Serum levels of cortisol (ng/ml) and progesterone (ng/ml) were determined before examination in the test group and Control group and after examination in the test group alone. Serum level of albumin (g/l) was also determined in all the subjects. The result obtained showed that serum levels of cortisol, was significantly higher in pre-examination when compared with the post examination (P<0.001) while serum level of progesterone was significantly lower in pre-examination when compared with the post-examination (P<0.01). The mean level of cortisol was significantly higher in pre-examination subjects when compared with the control subjects (P<0.01) while the mean level of progesterone was significantly lower in pre-examination subjects when compared with the control subjects (P<0.01). The result also revealed that the mean level of progesterone was significantly higher in control subjects when compared with the post-examination (P<0.01), while there were no significant difference in the mean levels of both post-examination cortisol and albumin in the test subjects compared with the control subjects (>0.1). The results showed there were significant levels of negative correlation between pre-progesterone and pre-cortisol r=-0.399; P<0.05) and pre-progesterone versus post-progesterone (r=0.419; P<0.05). This study indicates that serum level of cortisol increases significantly while serum progesterone level decreases significantly before the examination. This may have implication for clustered examinations within many days.
Authors and Affiliations
Onyenekwe Charles Chinedum, Ezeani Michael Chukwudi, A. Udeogu Ndidiamaka, C. Anyiam Daniel, U. Meludu Samuel, Nnadozie Okwudiri
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP342829
- DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2014/3289
- Views 50
- Downloads 0
An Analysis of Seasonal Variation and Climatic Influences on the Male to Female Ratio of Live Births in Malta
Aims: In humans, male births occur in excess of female births. The ratio of male births to total births (MFR) is expected to approximate 0.515. Many factors have been shown to influence MRF and a seasonal pattern has als...
Hepatocarcinogenic Properties of Hepatitis B Virus
Approximately two billion people are infected with hepatitis B (HBV) worldwide. Infection due to the virus can be influenced by host immune status, age, and vigorosity of viral replication. Majority of patientsre cover f...
Nutritional Status of Children with Congenital Heart Diseases at a University Teaching Hospital, North-Western Nigeria
Background: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) in children may be associated with varying degrees of undernutrition due to poor intake, impaired nutrient utilization and increased metabolic demands in the presence of heart...
Molecular Identification of Plasmodium Species in Malaria in Zimbabwe by Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing
Aim: To identify the Plasmodium species circulating in Zimbabwe. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place of Study: The study was conducted at three malaria referral hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe from January to May 20...
Ectopic Pregnancy: Recent Experience in a Tertiary Hospital, South-Southern Nigeria
Objective: To assess the incidence, clinical presentation, management and associated morbidity of ectopic pregnancy in a tertiary health institution in South-southern Nigeria over a 2-year period. Methods: Hospital-based...