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Amlak BT, Bitew MS, Getnet A, Yitayew FM, Terefe TF, Tarekegn TT, Mihret AG, Geleta OT, Alemu GG, GebreEyesus FA, Tsegaye D. The magnitude of mental distress and associated factors among a school of medicine and college of health sciences students at Debre Markos University, 2021. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275120. [PMID: 36170323 PMCID: PMC9518916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Mental distress is a collection of mental health abnormalities characterized by symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating, and somatic symptoms. It affects society as a whole and no group is immune to mental distress; however, students have a significantly high level of mental distress than their community peers. The study is aimed to assess the magnitude of mental distress and associated factors among a school of medicine and college of health sciences students.
Objective
To assess the magnitude of mental distress and associated factors among a school of medicine and college of health sciences students at Debre Markos University, 2021.
Methods
Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed from March 15–29, 2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 475 study participants. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with mental distress. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis and a P-Value of less than 0.05 was considered as having a statistically significant association.
Result
The magnitude of mental distress among students was found to be 35.4%, 95%CI (31%, 40%). Female sex [AOR = 1.95; 95%CI (1.24–3.06)], financial distress[AOR = 1.64; 95%CI (1.062.54)], feeling of insecurity [AOR = 2.49; 95% CI (1.13–3.54)], lack of interest to department [AOR = 2.00; 95%CI (1.75–4.36)] and cumulative grade point average less than expected [AOR = 2.63; 95%CI (1.59–4.37)]were significant variables with mental distress.
Conclusion
The magnitude of mental distress was high. Sex, financial distress, feeling of insecurity, lack of interest in the department, and cumulative grade point average less than expected were significant variables with mental distress, so special attention on mental health promotion is required from policymakers, college officials, parents, and other Non-Governmental organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baye Tsegaye Amlak
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
| | - Mezinew Sintayehu Bitew
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Asmamaw Getnet
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | | | - Tamene Fetene Terefe
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Tsehay Tarekegn
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
| | - Asmare Getie Mihret
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Omega Tolessa Geleta
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Gebrie Getu Alemu
- Department of Nursing, Bahir Dar Health Science College, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Fisha Alebel GebreEyesus
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Dejen Tsegaye
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
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