Mental Health Effects of Covid-19 outbreak among University’s Students

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-2019) spread rapidly in the whole world, reasoning an epidemic of severe infectious pneumonia1 The continuous spread of the epidemic, is likely to affect the students’ mental health.2 In light of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Pakistan, the researcher feels the same pressure among students in the premises of university. This was the basic point that diverts the mind of the researcher to initiate a research study to determine the awareness level, response to precautionary measures, and psychological effects of COVID-19 outbreak upon University’s student. Methods and materials: A sample of 206 University students was selected among those, who were residing in hostel on day of outbreak i.e. 13 march 2020. Both genders (142 males, 64 female) were included in the selected sample. A proportionate Radom sampling techniques was applied for the selection of sample. A questionnaire consisted of 27 items was developed to measure the awareness level, response to precautionary measures and psychological effect of COVID-19 outbreak. The data was collected through a team of M.Phil students that were studying in SS&PE department of Gomal University. The data collected from all those students, participated in competitive sports activities. The data were analyzed by applying (frequency, percentage, mean, non-parametric chi-square test and t-test as statistical tools with help of SPSS software version, 25. Results: The result of the study shows that the university’s students 56.04% were well aware of COVID-19. 50.1% of total university students were of the opinion to adopt the proper precautionary measures. The study observed that University’s students 42.72% were psychologically depressed regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan. In response to compare the responses of the urban and rural university’s students, it was found that urban university’s students were more psychologically disturbed as compare to rural university’s students due to outbreak of COVID-19 than the rural students (p .05), response to precautionary measures and psychologically effect of COVID-19 outbreak (p > .05). Conclusion: The University’s students were well aware of COVID-19, the Students were psychologically depressed regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan, urban students were more psychologically affected by the COVID-19 outbreak than the rural students. It was also concluded that male and female and athletes, non-athletes were having the same psychological effect. However, the population was of the opinion that their response will be positive with special reference to adopt precautionary measures.