The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Factors Affecting the Mental Health Status of College Students

Abstract

. COVID-19 has become a world pandemic. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has predicted causes of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress among students. This study aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors affecting the mental health status of college students and to identify the use of drugs over the past week during the data collection. Data collection used the DASS-21 questionnaire. The first part contains demographic data and drug use comprising 12 questions, while the second consists of 21 questions to measure students’ mental health status. Univariate analysis (T-Test) was implemented to assess differences in mental health scores among students. In addition, linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors related to mental health status. The sample in this study involved 152 respondents, with a response rate of 100%. Although most respondents were in the normal depression category, almost a quarter (23.7%) of the respondents experienced moderate depression. In addition, 49 (32.2%) and 34 (22.4%) respondents were categorized as having moderate anxiety and stress, respectively, and 29 (19.1%) respondents experienced very severe anxiety. The results of linear regression obtained that fever, cough, and muscle pain were associated with depression status (p value < 0.05), muscle pain was associated with anxiety status (p value < 0.05),andfeveraffectedstressstatus(p value < 0.05).Themajorityofrespondents consumed analgesics, supplements, and multivitamins. The Covid 19 pandemic affectsstudents’mentalhealthatvariouslevels,andfemalerespondentsweremore pronetosufferfromstressthanmen.Consequently,thereisaneedformeasures toaddressstudents’mentalhealthissues.