Abstract:
Background: Mental distress, also known as common mental disorders, are a mental health problem characterized by a range of depressive, anxiety or somatic symptoms such as headache, backache and sleep problems. Even though the problems affect the society as a whole, studies are indicated that university/college students experience a higher level of mental disorders than the general population. However, interventions to address the problems are very limited and lack of information is contributary factor to the inadequate mental health service. This study will provide information regarding the burden of mental distress among Ambo university regular undergraduate students.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of mental distress and its associated factors among Ambo university main campus regular undergraduate students from March/2023 to April/2023.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 498 students of Ambo university main campus regular students from March/2023 to April/2023. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics like percentage, mean and standard deviation were calculated. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with mental distress among students. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were interred into multivariable binary logistic regression model and variables with p-value < 0.05 declared as having statistically significant association with mental distress.
Results: The prevalence of mental distress among Ambo university main campus students was 33.5% with 95% CI [29.2, 37.9]. Age ≤ 20 years (AOR = 3.82, 95% CI [2.27, 6.41]), being female (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI [1.62, 4.93]), being CMHS student (AOR = 2.85, 95% CI [1.16, 7.01]), academic overload (AOR = 3.09, 95% CI [1.76, 5.42]), grade < 3.00 (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI [1.28, 4.34]), having low grade than anticipated (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI [1.48, 4.44]), khat chew (AOR = 3.02, 95% CI [1.73, 5.24]), Alcohol use (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI [1.42, 4.94]), low perceived social support (AOR = 3.69, 95% CI [1.83, 7.41]) and moderate perceived social support (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI [ 1.25, 4.27]) were found to have significant association with mental distress.
Conclusion: About three in ten of Ambo university students are suffering from mental distress. The finding of this study indicates the need of further screening for mental health problems and the need for mental health promotion and disease prevention activities. Therefore, special attention, timely corrective actions from policy makers, university officials and families are needed.
