PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING YABERUS HIGH SCHOOL IN WOLKITE TOWN,GURAGE ZONE,SNNPR,ETHIOPIA 2022

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a critical period for promoting psychological well-being and early mental health intervention in order to prevent the onset of mental health problems. Adolescents' psychological impairment has been connected to high-risk behaviors like drinking, smoking, using drugs, and engaging in unsafe sexual activities. Psychological impairment has an impact on teenage academic achievement as well as overall health, which has a significant impact on adult life chances. Objective: To assess prevalence and associated factors of psychological impairment among adolescents attending Abreus High School In Wolkite Town, GurageZone, SNNPR, Ethiopia 2022.Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was done among 768 students from April 25 to June 15, 2022. Stratified multistage sampling procedure was used to select study subjects. Data were collected using a pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire. Psychological impairment was assessed by using youth self-report version of Pediatric Symptom Checklist(Y-PSC). Binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors. All variables with a probability value of ≤0.20 at bivariate logistic regression analysis were entered into the multivariate logistic regression model to control the possible effect of confounders. A probability value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used to declare the statistical significance between psychological impairment and associated factors. Result: A total of 768 students participated in the study with a response rate of 92% (n = 706). Of the total respondents, 398 (56.4%) were females. The overall prevalence of psychological impairment among the study participants was 31.4%. substance use [AOR=3.95; 95% CI: (2.357, 6.622)], poor social support [AOR=2.232; 95% CI: (1.145, 4.353)].and being “having history of suicidal ideations” in the past years as compared with their counterparts [(AOR=4.39, 95% CI=(2.370, 8.159)].were significantly associated with psychological impairment (P <0.05).Conclusion: This study found that the magnitude of psychological impairment among adolescents was high. and substance use, poor social support and suicidal ideation were factors significantly associated with psychological impairment