TEST ANXIETY IN DENTAL MEDICAL STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Aim of the study: The Covid-19 pandemic strongly affected education. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of test anxiety, gender differences and variables that moderate it among students of Dentistry Department, Oradea University, Romania Material and methods: Spielberger's Test anxiety inventory (TAI) adapted for Romanian population (IAT-III) was self-administered by undergraduate students, collecting demographical data next to the 20 standard items. Statistical significance level was set at p<0.005. Results: 201 students (56 male) from the 3rd to 6th year of study, (m.a=24.57 +/- 3.43 years) answered the questionnaire (response rate 56%). Male students presented a significantly higher mean age than females (25.80 +/- 5.01 and 24.09 +/- 2.43 years, p=0.001). The mean total IAT score (IAT-T) for all students was 45.80 +/- 13.51. The mean IAT-T score for females was significantly higher than for males (48.33 +/- 13.34 and 39.23 +/- 11.71, p=0.000). The mean overall value for subscales "worry" (IAT-W) and "emotionality" (IAT-E) were 20.66 +/- 6.19 and 15.53 +/- 4.98. Both mean subscales scores, "emotionality" (16.48 +/- 4.93 and 13.05 +/- 4.24, p=0.000) and "worry" (21.65 +/- 6.20 and 18.09 +/- 5.42, p=0.000), were significantly higher for females. 72.63% of students presented high-moderate and moderate anxiety scores. IAT-T, IAT-W and IAT-E scores depended significantly on gender and year of study. Conclusion: The large majority of students presented high levels of anxiety.