BMC Public Health (Mar 2023)

Impacts of COVID-19 crisis and some related factors on the mental health of 37150 Vietnamese students: a cross-sectional online study

  • Chau Bao Duong,
  • Nhi Van Tran,
  • An Hoang Nguyen,
  • Thong Nhat Le,
  • Bien Huy Ha,
  • Chau Ngoc Phuc Do,
  • Khon Huynh,
  • Thong Minh Le,
  • Thao Phuong Nguyen,
  • Hoai Thi Thu Nguyen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15317-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background University students are vulnerable to changes due to COVID-19 pandemic. Although warning has been made about the impact of this crisis on students’ mental health, there are barely any sufficient study. This work investigated how the pandemic affected the mental health of students at the Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) and efficiency of available mental health supportive methods. Methods An online survey was conducted among students at Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) from October 18, 2021, to October 25, 2021. Microsoft Excel 16.51 (Microsoft, USA) and R language, Epi packages 2.44 and 4.1.1 (rdrr.io) were used for data analysis. Results Thirty-seven thousand one hundred fifty students participated in the survey, including 48.4% female and 51.6% male. Online learning pressure was mainly recorded (65.1%). Many students suffered from sleeping disorders (56.2%). Some reported being victims of abuse (5.9%). Female students expressed a significantly higher level of distress than males, particularly the feeling of ambiguity about the purpose of life (p-value < 0.0001, OR: 0.94, 95% CI: [0.95–0.98]). Third-year students suffered higher stress levels than others, especially in online learning (68.8%, p-value < 0.05). Mental health statuses among students of different lockdown status regions were not significantly different. Therefore, lockdown status did not affect the stress levels of students which suggested that poor mental health outcomes seemed to root in the suspension of everyday university life rather than the prohibition of going out. Conclusions During COVID-19, students experienced lots of stress and mental problems. These findings underscore the importance of academic and innovative activities, bringing attention to the needs of interactive study and extra-curricular activities.

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