PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS OF JIMMA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Jimma University is one of the newly established higher institutions inEthiopia. In recent years, the university is highly expanding in both student intake andnumber of fields of studies and the student population is becoming huge. Various researchworks elsewhere revealed that students of higher institutions pass through a number ofdifficulties. The aim of the present study was to determine the magnitude of psychologicaland social problems facing students of Jimma University.METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma University during May toJune 2002. The study population encompassed all regular students (excluding post basicstudents) of Jimma University from which 200 students were randomly selected. Aquestionnaire that consisted of 55 questions was developed to gather data on students’problems. It was distributed to the selected students and filled with the help of assigneddormitory service workers.RESULTS: The results showed that students face many kinds of problems. The mostprevalent problem was found to be psychological problem, which includes attention problem69(49.0%), anxiety 58(41.0%) and depression 32(23.0%). Besides, the students did faceacademic, social and economic problems.CONCLUSION: To alleviate the problems identified in this survey certain measures shouldbe taken by the concerned bodies of the university. As such efforts should be made to placestudents in fields of their interest; in strengthening certain clubs such as arts clubs; and insecuring adequate funds to support economically disadvantaged students. Finally, theuniversity's guidance and counseling unit is should work hard to resolve the concerns ofstudents with the mentioned problems.