Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Abstract Introduction Mental distress is a global health concern. Studies show that the prevalence of mental distress is higher in students’ population than in the general population. Therefore, there is need to understand the extent and factors associated with mental distress among students to help...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00903-8 |
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| author | Given Mutinta |
| author_facet | Given Mutinta |
| author_sort | Given Mutinta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Mental distress is a global health concern. Studies show that the prevalence of mental distress is higher in students’ population than in the general population. Therefore, there is need to understand the extent and factors associated with mental distress among students to help policymakers and practitioners in South Africa. Aim of the study The study was designed to investigate into the prevalence and factors associated with mental distress among students at universities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among students from four universities in the Eastern Cape Province. The data were collected from 844 students using an online self-reporting questionnaire-20 to assess mental distress of students. Multivariable logistic regression modelling determined the association between socio-demographic and psychosocial factors with students’ mental distress. Findings The prevalence of mental distress among students was 53.3% (95% CI 47.0%, 58.1%). Female students were more prone to mental distress than male students ([AOR]: 4.67; 95% CI 2.82, 7.72, P = 0.001). Field of study ([AOR]: 3.9; 95% CI 1.74, 5.50, P = 0.010), year of study ([AOR]: 4.29; 95% CI 0.86, 21.46, P = 0.002), academic workload ([AOR]: 4.66; 95% CI 2.81, 7.71, P = 0.003), poor sleep quality ([AOR]: 2.24; 95% CI 1.13, 3.67, P = 0.010) and using cannabis ([AOR]: 3.10; 95% CI 1.755, 5.51, P = 0.020) were other factors significantly correlated with students’ mental distress. Conclusions and recommendations The study found the level of mental distress to be higher among students than what is reported in most of the previous studies on the student population in South Africa. Being a female student, a user of cannabis, and field of study, academic workload and having poor sleep quality were predictors of mental distress. Findings point to the need to devise evidence-driven interventions and strategies to prevent and reduce the problem of mental distress among students. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:40:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-935f46df916441b0b48b365a010bde04 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:40:56Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-935f46df916441b0b48b365a010bde042022-12-22T02:34:44ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832022-08-011011810.1186/s40359-022-00903-8Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaGiven Mutinta0Media and Communication, Nelson Mandela UniversityAbstract Introduction Mental distress is a global health concern. Studies show that the prevalence of mental distress is higher in students’ population than in the general population. Therefore, there is need to understand the extent and factors associated with mental distress among students to help policymakers and practitioners in South Africa. Aim of the study The study was designed to investigate into the prevalence and factors associated with mental distress among students at universities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among students from four universities in the Eastern Cape Province. The data were collected from 844 students using an online self-reporting questionnaire-20 to assess mental distress of students. Multivariable logistic regression modelling determined the association between socio-demographic and psychosocial factors with students’ mental distress. Findings The prevalence of mental distress among students was 53.3% (95% CI 47.0%, 58.1%). Female students were more prone to mental distress than male students ([AOR]: 4.67; 95% CI 2.82, 7.72, P = 0.001). Field of study ([AOR]: 3.9; 95% CI 1.74, 5.50, P = 0.010), year of study ([AOR]: 4.29; 95% CI 0.86, 21.46, P = 0.002), academic workload ([AOR]: 4.66; 95% CI 2.81, 7.71, P = 0.003), poor sleep quality ([AOR]: 2.24; 95% CI 1.13, 3.67, P = 0.010) and using cannabis ([AOR]: 3.10; 95% CI 1.755, 5.51, P = 0.020) were other factors significantly correlated with students’ mental distress. Conclusions and recommendations The study found the level of mental distress to be higher among students than what is reported in most of the previous studies on the student population in South Africa. Being a female student, a user of cannabis, and field of study, academic workload and having poor sleep quality were predictors of mental distress. Findings point to the need to devise evidence-driven interventions and strategies to prevent and reduce the problem of mental distress among students.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00903-8PrevalenceMental distressFactorsStudentsUniversitiesEastern Cape Province |
| spellingShingle | Given Mutinta Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa BMC Psychology Prevalence Mental distress Factors Students Universities Eastern Cape Province |
| title | Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa |
| title_full | Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa |
| title_short | Mental distress among university students in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa |
| title_sort | mental distress among university students in the eastern cape province south africa |
| topic | Prevalence Mental distress Factors Students Universities Eastern Cape Province |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00903-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT givenmutinta mentaldistressamonguniversitystudentsintheeasterncapeprovincesouthafrica |