Abstract:
Background: Common mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms and
substance use disorders contribute to disability and distress to the population impeding productivity and
affecting societal wellbeing. Empirical findings have confirmed that the student does have a higher
Prevalence of common mental disorders than is found in the general population.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the common mental disorders and its associated
factors among Ambo university undergraduate students, Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2024.
Multistage sampling technique was used to select 623 students to collect the required data. A self-reported
questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess common mental disorders. Data were collected, coded and
entry, Using EpiData version 3.1 and the data were exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences
version 24 for cleaning and analysis. A bivariable analysis was undertaken, and variables with a P-value
<0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into a multivariable regression model. Multivariable logistic
regression was used to measure associated factors with common mental disorders after controlling for
potential confounding factors. Finally, the result was presented using an odds ratio with a 95% confidence
interval, and a P-value <0.05 was considered the cutoff point to declare a significant association.
Result: In out total of 623 students, 592 were participated in the study.The prevalence of common
mental disorder among undergraduate students was 51.4 % (95 %, CI: 47.6 %, 55.9%). Poor social
support (AOR =3.284, 95% CI: 2.06, 5.236) and moderate social support (AOR=2.896, 95%CI: 1.904,
4.405). being from the college of health sciences (AOR = 2.587, 95%CI:1.545, 4.331), and Agriculturel
(AOR=3.301, 95% CI: 1.958 ,5.563), school of law (AOR=2.3,95%CI: 1.187, 4.455), having history of
life-event (AOR=3.288, 95%, CI: 1.460, 7.408), ever alcohol use (AOR=1.974, 95%,CI: 1.289,3.023),
and sleep quality (AOR= 1.907 ,95%, CI: 1.324,2.747) were significantly associated with common mental
disorder
Conclusion: This study has shown that, the common mental disorder among undergraduate, Ambo
University students. Therefore, mental disorders needs due attention and remedial action from different
concerned bodies to all university administration, to create and Designing prevention and effective
intervention about adverse effect of identified factors.
