Mental health and substance use among rehabilitation sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Background: An increase in mental health problems have been documented in health sciences students globally during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of mental health problems and substance use among health and rehabili...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-02-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2376 |
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| Summary: | Background: An increase in mental health problems have been documented in health sciences students globally during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of mental health problems and substance use among health and rehabilitation sciences (HRS) students during the pandemic.
Setting: The study was conducted at the University of Cape Town, Health Sciences Faculty.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 113 voluntary undergraduate participants was conducted. Participants completed self-administered electronic questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the sociodemographic and COVID-19-related determinants of mental health diagnoses.
Results: Substance use was common, including alcohol (54.05%), cigarettes and/or tobacco (17.27%), and illicit drugs (5.56%). Below a quarter (23.85%) self-reported a mental health condition in their lifetime and 14.81% in the past 12 months. Diagnoses included major depressive disorders (13.27%) and anxiety disorders (11.50%). A mental health diagnosis in the past 12 months was significantly associated with alcohol use (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 4.02, 1.06–15.23), prescription medication used to manage academic/social stress (AOR = 5.74, 1.68–19.69), COVID-19 diagnosis (AOR = 5.51, 1.60–18.92) and physiotherapy programme (AOR = 12.35, 1.21–126.44). Barriers to accessing mental health support included academic commitments (61.90%) and the lack of time to attend student wellness services (36.19%).
Conclusion: The self-reported prevalence of mental health problems and substance use among HRS students was high during the pandemic.
Contribution: Institutional and public health measures should address modifiable risk factors and barriers to accessing mental health support amongst students. |
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| ISSN: | 1608-9685 2078-6786 |