A dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Specialty Certificate in Psychiatry
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Date
2017-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction
Numerous studies have shown that mental distress is a common problem among medical
students. Factors associated varied across studies, however, the negative impact of
mental distress on medical students has been shown to be manifold. Mental distress
profiles may show variation over time, requiring periodic assessments so as to tailor
interventions that best suit the current situation.
Objective
The objective of this study is to assess the level of mental distress and associated factors
among medical students of Addis Ababa University.
Methods
A facility-based, cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted on medical students of
Addis Ababa University. Stratified random sampling was employed & data was collected
from consenting medical students (preclinical year 1 to internship) using a 2-part
structured, self-administered questionnaire (Part I: Background Data & Part II: The 20-
item Self Reporting Questionnaire [SRQ-20] English version). SPSS version 20 was used for
data entry and univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to assess factors
associated with mental distress.
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Results
A total of 291 medical students participated in the study. The one-month prevalence of
mental distress among medical students of Addis Ababa University was 64.9%, which is
nearly double the prevalence 12 years ago. Suicidal ideation was reported by 14.1% of the
respondents (6% in the original study). Female sex (AOR=2.187, 95% CI=1.131- 4.231),
current feelings of dissatisfaction about having joined Medicine (AOR=2.839, 95%
CI=1.278- 6.302) and having experienced a challenging life event in the preceding 30 days
(AOR= 3.787 95% CI=1.179- 12.167) were associated independently with greater odds of
mental distress. Lifetime substance use (X2= 10.658, df= 1, p=0.001) and current
substance use (X2=4.080, df=1, p=0.043) had significant associations with mental distress
but no such association was present in multivariate analysis. Other variables including age
and year of study showed no (significant) association with mental distress in univariate or
multivariate analyses.
Conclusion
The study shows that the prevalence of mental distress among medical students of Addis
Ababa University is higher than that reported 12 years ago. Continued supportive
interventions for medical students and studies of a qualitative nature are recommended.
Description
Keywords
mental distress,medical students