Demographics Differences in Mental Health Among Undergraduate Students of Ekiti State University (EACOED Campus)
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objective of the study is to investigate demographics differences in mental health among undergraduate students of Ekiti State University. The specific objectives are;
- To ascertain the effect of self esteem on mental health among undergraduate students of Ektit state University
- To find out the effect of peer relationship on mental health among undergraduate students of Ekiti state University
- To find out the effect of parent socioeconomic status on mental health among undergraduate students of Ekiti state University
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Health and health care system in Nigeria
Although the Nigerian economy has expanded to become the biggest in Africa but the country still lags behind other African countries on various health indicators (Aregbeshola, 2011; CIA, 2014). There are some evidence that the federal government of Nigeria has made some considerable efforts to improve the health care system in Nigeria, but these efforts are limited by a narrow coverage of the national health insurance scheme, weak education and enlightenment schemes in addition to poverty and illiteracy (CIA, 2014; NBS, 2014). Consequently, childhood and maternal mortality are relatively high and average life expectancy at birth is male 46.21 years and female 47.29 years (NBS, 2014).
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) made several positive attempts to improve the countries health care system. For example, in May 1999, the government created the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) that covers government employees, the organized private sector and the informal sector (UNICEF, 2007, CIA, 2014). The NHIS scheme also covers children less than five years of age, permanently disabled persons and prison inmates (CIA, 2014). In addition, the majority of mental health services are provided by eight regional psychiatric centres, University Teaching Hospitals and few general hospitals (NBS, 2014).
The federal government allocation to the health care sector in Nigeria in 2010 was to the excess of £300 billion (Aregbeshola, 2011). Despite the interest to improve health care system in Nigeria, by the government, there is still evidence for poor health indicators in Nigeria. For example, under-5 mortality rate was 189 per 1000 live births, neonatal mortality rate was 47 per 1000 live births, maternal mortality was 800 deaths per 100,000, while life expectancy for men was 47.2 and 48.2 for women which compares unfavourably to most other African countries such as South Africa, Egypt and Libya (NBS, 2014). CIA (2014) reported that in 2012, the HIV prevalence rate among young adults (15-49) years of age was(3.1%). Consequently, Nigeria has the second largest number of people living with HIV in the world, with youths and young adults more vulnerable, while young women are at higher risk than young men (CIA, 2014; NBS, 2011; United Nations population Fund (UNPF) 2011). Life expectancy in Nigeria has shown a regular decline. In 2006, the life expectancy was 57.9 years for men and 56.4 years for women while in 2007 it dropped to 47.2 for men and 48.2 for women, which represents a percentage fall of 18.48% for men and 14.54% for women (NBS, 2010). Equally, Nigerian health care system is affected by lack of well-trained health care specialists, as result of consistent mass exodus (brain drain) of qualified medical and public health specialists in Nigeria to western European countries in search of better wages (NBS, 2011).
The NBS (2010) report showed that Nigeria has only 61,000 qualified medical personal that is expected to care for over 140 million Nigerians, at a poor ratio of (1: 2, 295) persons (NBS, 2010). Health funding in Nigeria relies on a mixture of government budget, health insurance (social and private), external funding and private out-of-pocket spending. The level of spending on health is relatively low at less than 5% of GDP. It is estimated that on average health care consumes more than half of total household expenditure in Nigeria because of high cost of medical care 12% (NBS, 2010; CIA, 2012).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter describes the research design, area of the study, population for the study and sample and sampling techniques. It also presents the instrument for data collection, validation of the instrument, reliability of the instrument, method of data collection as well as method of data analysis.
Research Design
The cross-sectional survey research design was used for the study. Best (1981) and Nworgu (1991) observed that the design permits the description of phenomenon as they exist in their natural settings. Kerlinger (1992) referred to cross-sectional design as a design permitting a simultaneous study of different categories of subjects in a setting. The design was therefore considered appropriate for use in the present study.
Area of the Study
The study was conducted in Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti. Was established as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado-Ekiti on 30 March 1982 by the administration of Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, the first civilian governor of Ondo State. The university is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. It is located about 12 minutes drive from the center of the city of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State in Western Nigeria.
Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, as it is known today, is the only university in Nigeria that has within a quarter of a century had its name changed four times. The name was changed to Ondo State University in 1985, University of Ado-Ekiti in November 1999, and to its present name Ekiti State University of Ado Ekiti in September 2011. In 2021, it has also been ranked 3rd best state university in Nigeria according to webometrics.
Population of the Study
The population for the study consisted of 600 students from different departments who were of University. The University consists of many departments
CHAPTER FOUR
Results and Discussion
This chapter presents the results of the data analysis for the study. The presentation is in accordance with the research questions and hypotheses formulated to guide the study.
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
Summary
The study was carried out to investigate demographics differences in mental health among undergraduate students of Ekiti State University. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study and instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire for the respondents. The population consisted of 323 students of the estimated. The data generated were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the three research questions, and t-test to verify the null hypothesis. The following major results were obtained.
Summary of the Findings
The following are the major finding of the study:
- The overall effect of self esteem on mental health of students was positive. This result was however shown in table 1 where the mean and the standard deviation SD of the response of the students of the effect of self esteem on mental health of undergraduate students ( = 2.53) and (SD = 0.55).
- The student regularly abused by peer relationships which affect their mental health. This was shown on the table 2 in which the and standard deviation SD of the response of the students peer relationship was (= 2.52) and (SD = 0.80).
- The effect of socioeconomic status of parents affect the mental health of students (socioeconomic status of parent = (2.60); mental health = (2.45). The difference was significant at .05 level (t-cal = 2.33; t-crit = 1.96).
Conclusion
The mental health among undergraduate students was found to be high. The study shows that self esteem, peer relationship and Parents’ income level and occupation included factors associated with mental and infectious health challenges of students in Ekiti state University
Recommendation
It is recommended therefore that adequate attention be given to students as regards recognizing their health status as early as possible. Policy makers, college officials, non-governmental organizations, and parents, should show more concern to the health status of students. Programs aimed at preventing mental distress need to be introduced in schools so as to identify factors leading of mental distress at the early stage. Also, Counseling Unit should be established in each institution.
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