Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies Among Medical Students at Bayero University Kano, North West Nigeria

Medical training is associated with significant psychological stress, and the availability of adaptive coping strategies is critical for student resilience and professional formation. This study examines perceived stress levels and coping strategies among medical students at Bayero University Kano (BUK), North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey will recruit 250 students from all six clinical and pre-clinical years using stratified proportional sampling. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) will assess stress levels, while the Brief COPE inventory will categorize coping strategies as adaptive or maladaptive. Sociodemographic variables including year of study, gender, academic performance, and extracurricular participation will be analyzed as predictors. Descriptive and inferential statistics including ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression will be employed. Existing studies from Nigerian medical schools document high stress prevalence, particularly during clinical years, often linked to patient loads, examination pressure, and financial hardship. This study will contribute regional evidence to medical education reform discussions at BUK and support the university's student mental health and wellness unit. Keywords: perceived stress, coping strategies, medical students, Bayero University Kano, Brief COPE