Abstract:
Background: Although mental health problems affect society as a whole and no
group is immune to mental disorders; today in ultra competitive environment
students have significantly high level of mental distress than their community peers.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and
associated factors of mental distress among undergraduate students of University
of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 836
students from April 9-11/2014. Stratified random sampling technique was used to
select the study participants. Data were collected using pretested and structured
self-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model
was fitted to identify factors associated with mental distress among students. An
adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the
level of significance.
Results: Prevalence of mental distress among students was found to be 40.9%.
Female sex (AOR=1.65; 95% CI 1.17-2.30), lack of interest towards their field of study
(AOR=2.28; 95% CI 1.49-3.50), not having close friends (AOR=1.48; 95% CI 1.03-
2.14), never attend religious programs (AOR=1.58; 95% CI 1.02-2.46), conflict with
friends (AOR=1.93; 95% CI 1.41-2.65), having financial distress (AOR1.49= 95% CI
1.05, 2.10), family history of mental illness (AOR=2.12; 95% CI 1.31-3.45), Ever use of
Khat (AOR=1.71; 95% CI 1.12-2.59), decrease grade than anticipated(AOR=2.07;
95% CI 1.51-2.83), lack of vacation or break (AOR=1.46; 95% CI 1.06-2.02) , low
social support(AOR=2.58; 95% CI 1.58-4.22) and moderate social support( AOR=
2.50;95% CI 1.54-4.04) were significantly associated with mental distress.
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of mental distress among students was found
to be high. Being female sex , lack of interest towards the field of study, not having
close friends, never attend religious programs, conflict with friends, having financial
distress, family history of mental illness, ever use of Khat, lower grade than
anticipated, lack of vacation or break, and low to moderate social support were
factors associated with mental distress.
