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Prevalence of Mental Distress and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Institutional Based Study

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Dachew, Berihun Assefa, Azale Bisetegn, Telake, Berhe Gebremariam, Resom·2015·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0119464PMC PMC4368633
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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. 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 multistage 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), lower 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), and low social support(AOR = 2.58; 95% CI 1.58-4.22) were significantly associated with mental distress. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of mental distress among students was found to be high. Therefore, it is recommended that mental distress needs due attention and remedial action from policy makers, college officials, non-governmental organizations, parents, students and other concerned bodies.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Dachew, B. A., Azale Bisetegn, T., & Berhe Gebremariam, R.
Affiliations
University of Gondar (ET)
Corresponding author
Dachew, Berihun Assefa
ORCID
Dachew, Berihun Assefa
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2015-03-20
Volume
10
Issue
3
Pages
e0119464
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0119464
PMC
PMC4368633
OpenAlex
W2051471727
Cited by
136
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4
FWCI
14.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Greater South Information System
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Keywords
psychological distress, university students, prevalence, risk factors, social support, financial distress, khat use, academic stress, family history of mental illness, religious participation, gender differences, University of Gondar
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Ethiopia, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Stress, Psychological, Students, Universities, Prevalence, Young Adult

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