Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Mental distress is becoming a common health problem in Ethiopia. The prevalence of mental distress is higher among university students than the general population. However, there is inadequate information in this regard in Ethiopia situations. The aim of this study was to determi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-019-2051-5 |
| _version_ | 1818788351521587200 |
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| author | Tadis Brhane Tesfahunegn Etsay Hailu Gebremariam |
| author_facet | Tadis Brhane Tesfahunegn Etsay Hailu Gebremariam |
| author_sort | Tadis Brhane Tesfahunegn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Mental distress is becoming a common health problem in Ethiopia. The prevalence of mental distress is higher among university students than the general population. However, there is inadequate information in this regard in Ethiopia situations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of mental distress among regular undergraduate students in Aksum University, North Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was carried out among 919 students from May 10 to 20, 2016. Students were selected by stratified multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-tested and structured self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EPI-INFO version 7 and then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with mental distress among university students. Results The prevalence of mental distress was nearly four in ten (39.6%) students. Being female sex (AOR =1.7, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.34), low social support (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.97, 4.72), freshman students (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.71), having had conflict with friends (AOR = 1.5,95% CI: 1.03, 1.90), financial problem (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.59, 2.92), family history of mental disorder (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.21), scoring lower grade (AOR = 1.51,95% CI: 1.03, 1.61), argument with instructors (AOR = 1.52,95% CI: 1.12, 2.07) and field of study (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.37) were significantly associated with mental distress. Conclusion This study has shown that the magnitude of mental distress among Aksum University students was high. Several social and economic factors were significantly associated with mental distress of the students. Therefore, mental distress needs special focus and timely corrective action by policy makers, university officials, and other concerned stakeholders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:22:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1364f01f90d34298948c1552bca4e61b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:22:17Z |
| publishDate | 2019-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-1364f01f90d34298948c1552bca4e61b2022-12-21T21:04:50ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2019-02-011911810.1186/s12888-019-2051-5Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional studyTadis Brhane Tesfahunegn0Etsay Hailu Gebremariam1Department of Public Health, Aksum University College of Health Science and Referral HospitalDepartment of Psychiatric Nursing, Aksum University College of Health Science, Referral HospitalAbstract Background Mental distress is becoming a common health problem in Ethiopia. The prevalence of mental distress is higher among university students than the general population. However, there is inadequate information in this regard in Ethiopia situations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of mental distress among regular undergraduate students in Aksum University, North Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was carried out among 919 students from May 10 to 20, 2016. Students were selected by stratified multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-tested and structured self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EPI-INFO version 7 and then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with mental distress among university students. Results The prevalence of mental distress was nearly four in ten (39.6%) students. Being female sex (AOR =1.7, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.34), low social support (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.97, 4.72), freshman students (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.71), having had conflict with friends (AOR = 1.5,95% CI: 1.03, 1.90), financial problem (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.59, 2.92), family history of mental disorder (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.21), scoring lower grade (AOR = 1.51,95% CI: 1.03, 1.61), argument with instructors (AOR = 1.52,95% CI: 1.12, 2.07) and field of study (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.37) were significantly associated with mental distress. Conclusion This study has shown that the magnitude of mental distress among Aksum University students was high. Several social and economic factors were significantly associated with mental distress of the students. Therefore, mental distress needs special focus and timely corrective action by policy makers, university officials, and other concerned stakeholders.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-019-2051-5Mental distressstudentsprevalenceEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Tadis Brhane Tesfahunegn Etsay Hailu Gebremariam Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study BMC Psychiatry Mental distress students prevalence Ethiopia |
| title | Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Mental distress and associated factors among Aksum University students, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | mental distress and associated factors among aksum university students ethiopia a cross sectional study |
| topic | Mental distress students prevalence Ethiopia |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-019-2051-5 |
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