The Magnitude and Associated Factors of Mental Distress among Adama University Students

Abstract

Abstract Background Mental health problems affect society as a whole and no group is immune to mental disorders; however, students have significantly high level of mental distress than their community peers. Owing to several factors tertiary level students are among the population with higher prevalence of mental distress. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of mental distress among Adama university students, and to evaluate contextually relevant associated factors. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of mental distress among Adama university students. Methods Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from April 7 to 29, 2017 G.c. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaire and self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ20). An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval computed to determine the level of significance. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 20 for windows. Results: The total study population was 298 students, among these 78(26.2%) of them were found to have mental distress. There was no significant difference in mental distress between males and females. On statistical analysis there is association between mental distress with religion and place of residence, alcohol use, chat chewing and tobacco smoking. Conclusions: The overall prevalence rate of mental distress in the university was found to be 26.2 %.Designing prevention and treatment programs to address contextually relevant factors is very important. Key words: Mental distress, mental health, substance use disorder