An Epidemiological Investigation into Mental Health Literacy and Preventive Practices Among Undergraduate Students at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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Abstract
Objective: To assess mental health knowledge, promotional practices, and associated factors among undergraduate students at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Design: A cross-sectional clinical epidemiological study. Subjects/Patients: 371 undergraduates from eight faculties of the university. Methods: Data were collected via an online structured questionnaire and analysed with SPSS v27. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to assess associations between sociodemographic variables, knowledge, and mental health practices. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age was 21.1 ± 2.4 years; 64.4% were females. Approximately 49.9% had fair knowledge of mental health, 34.8% had good knowledge, and 15.4% had poor knowledge. 20.8% were aware of mental health support services, and 79.2% were unaware of support services. While 63.6% showed moderate engagement in mental health-promoting behaviours, only 25.9% had excellent mental health practices, and 10.5% had poor mental health practices. Age (χ² = 16.09, p = 0.003) and year of study (χ² = 21.30, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with mental health practices. Gender (χ² = 3.03, p = 0.22) and knowledge (χ² = 7.96, p = 0.09) were not significantly associated with mental health practices. Conclusion: Despite good mental health knowledge, engagement in promotion practices remains low. Structured orientation and improved access to mental health resources are needed to enhance uptake and bridge the knowledge-practice gap.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nduye Christie Tobin Briggs, Ifeoma Christiana Nwadiuto, Ositadinma Mberekpe Pius, Bassey Miracle Abundance, Chineme Caleb Chidiebere
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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Ifeoma Christiana Nwadiuto, Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ositadinma Mberekpe Pius, Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Bassey Miracle Abundance, Former MBBS Student, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Former MBBS Student, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Chineme Caleb Chidiebere, Former MBBS Student, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Former MBBS Student, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
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