The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Graduating Class Students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction A poorly known contagious disease outbreak, like COVID-19, leads to unavoidable stress, fear, and anxiety. During the pandemic, University students suffer from adverse mental health outcomes resulted from the continuous spread of the disease, sensational media reporting, and implementation of social lockdown. Graduating class students are more affected due to cancellation and postponing of anticipated events such as exchange studies and graduation ceremonies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety, depression, and stress among graduating class students. Methods Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 10 to 30, 2020 at the University of Gondar. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 350 students. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire, entered in EPI DATA version 3, analyzed using SPSS version 21, and presented in frequencies, percentages, tables, and graphs. Bivariable and multivariable analysis was investigated using a binary logistic regression model. Results The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among graduating class students was 22.2%, 39.6%, and 40.2% respectively. Living in an urban area, living with a family, sedentary lifestyle, unable to practice COVID-19 preventive measures, and having a contact history increases the risk of developing stress. Living in an urban area, substance use, sedentary lifestyle, and fear of infecting family increase the risk of developing anxiety. Students who came from an urban area, live with a family, study non-health departments, had confirmed cases in the family and did not perform physical exercise had higher odds of developing depression. Conclusion More than one-fifth, more than one-third, and nearly two-fifths of graduating students had stress, anxiety, and depression respectively. It is better to develop effective strategies and interventions, train students about self-protection, and establish a psychological crisis intervention team to minimize the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Mental Health Outcomes among Youth: A Rapid Narrative Review

“…Regarding the research design, the articles included in the present narrative review were 12 cross-sectional studies [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ] and three longitudinal studies [ 24 , 25 , 38 ].…”

“…We also observed a global general interest in the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak among young people, mainly involving Italian ( n = 3; 20%), Chinese ( n = 2; 13.3%), Malaysian ( n = 2; 13.3%), and Bangladeshi ( n = 2; 13.3%) researchers. Specifically, eight studies were conducted in Asia [ 26 , 27 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 36 , 37 ], five in Europe [ 24 , 25 , 28 , 35 , 38 ], and two in Africa [ 30 , 34 ]. In this narrative review, the adoption of restrictive inclusion criteria on the target population (general young population) generated the exclusion of American studies focused mostly on tailored target in the ongoing pandemic (see screening step in the flowchart above): the search strategy provided American studies conducted on vulnerable/fragile youth as well on young with previous mental health and/or stratified for race.…”

“…Moreover, higher-than-normal levels in somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation were found [ 32 ]. Cross-sectional studies [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ] also explored how the COVID-19 pandemic influences the prevalence of psychological symptoms. Furthermore, with regard to the longitudinal studies included, two of these assessed and monitored the mental health of the young at two time points: before any restriction measures and during lockdown conditions [ 24 , 38 ].…”

“…The findings we reviewed revealed an increased risk of anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown conditions for the young population [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. A longitudinal study [ 38 ] also reported that individuals’ proneness to worry before the COVID-19 outbreak proved an impact on anxiety responses to the quarantine.…”

“…Among living conditions and place of residence during the lockdown, young people from urban areas experienced higher levels of anxiety compared to those living in rural areas [ 34 ]. In addition, tensions and conflict with family or occupants of the dwelling, difficulties isolating themselves, noisy environments, and no direct outside access through a garden, a terrace, or a balcony were associated with higher levels of anxiety [ 28 ].…”