Javascript is currently disabled in your browser. Several features of this site will not function whilst javascript is disabled. Received 11 November Published 31 January Volume Pages 99— Review by Single-blind. Editor who approved publication: Dr Scott Fraser. Mental distress often interferes with studying, social interaction, and academic outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the prevalence of mental distress and factors associated with it among undergraduate engineering students at Hawassa University.
Methods: We conducted an institution-based cross-sectional descriptive study on undergraduate engineering students at Hawassa University. We collected the data from January to April 30, , using interviewer-administered Self-Report Questionnaire 20 SRQ from participants selected by stratified sampling and we performed multiple logistic regression analysis to find factors associated with mental distress. Results: Out of the total study population, Female students were 2.
Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of mental distress among engineering students. So, policymakers, university officials, and parents need to give due attention to engineering undergraduate students for proactive measures. Keywords: mental distress, engineering students, Hawassa, Ethiopia. Although mental distress is referenced in health-care literature, the origin of the concept of mental distress or psychological distress is not defined as a discrete concept.
University students have a high level of psychological distress more than the public, and mental distress has been the most common disabling condition among university students in the world. Intense pressure may cause severe mental illness in particular depression and debilitate physical health. The study conducted by the World Health Organization WHO with a sample of 1, participants from different countries lower to upper-income countries showed that one-fifth According to studies in the USA, A cross-sectional comparative study determining stress level between medical and non-medical students showed that In Ethiopia, a study done among 10, residents of Addis Ababa using SRQ revealed a prevalence of mental distress A study done at Adama University and Gondar University reported a prevalence of mental distress Studies showed different factors can affect mental distress among students.
In Ethiopia, unfulfilled facilities, overcrowded classrooms and prolonged school year can lead to stressful environments for Science and Technology students. Despite the student placement teaching policy, most teaching staff and university management lack confidence in the competence of their graduates, reflecting the lack of a university quality assurance program and the increasing number of students in science and technology.
