Assessment of Prevalence, Determinants and Effects of Mental Distress among Alemaya University Students.
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Date
2005-06
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: According to WHO estimation a third to half of all people affected by natural and manmade affections suffer from mental distress. College students have more severe mental health problems than ever before.
Aim: Assessment of the prevalence, determinants and effects of mental distress among Alemaya University Students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Alemaya University from December 2004to January 2005, by using self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ20). Simple Random sampling was used to select a total of 861 students among a total student population of the university. Data was analyzed by using EPI info version 6.04d and SPSS 11.0 for windows.
Results: The prevalence of mental distress was found 19.3%. Students from minor ethnic group were less at risk of mental distress compared to other ethnic groups [Adjusted -OR= 0.43; 95 %CI, (0.22, 0.85)]. Sedative users were more at risk of having mental distress compared to nonusers [Adjusted OR=3.01, 95% CI (1.41, 6.44)]. But there was no statistically significant association between mental distress and age, sex, and marital status in this study.
Conclusions: The prevalence rate of mental distress among the study population was found to be 19.3 %. The likelihood of having mental distress among students from minor ethnic group was lower compared to other ethnic groups. Mental distress was three times higher among sedative users compared to non-users.
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Mental Distress, Alemaya University Students