Influence of Physical Activity on Mental Health Among Undergraduate Students in International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan Campus After Movement Control Order Period.

Abstract

Introduction: Declaration of movement control order (MCO) during pandemic of COVID-19 has inflicted challenges in maintaining mental health of world population, including university students. Being inactive is among the reasons for mental disturbance among university students during the MCO period. Physically active has been demonstrated as a coping mechanism to improve mental health. The lifting of MCO supposed to recover the mental health status among the university students as they can return to have an active life. However, the status of mental health and level of physical activity among university students after the MCO period is not well reported.
 Objective: This study aimed to identify the mental health status and level of physical activity among undergraduate students in International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan Campus and the association between these parameters.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 243 undergraduate students in International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan Campus who were recruited using stratified random sampling. The questionnaires used to collect data consisted of three parts which were socio-demographical data, DASS-21 questionnaire and IPAQ-SF questionnaire. The data on socio-demographical characteristics were presented in frequency and percentage. The mental health status and level of physical activity were identified by determining the mean score of each parameter. The association between parameters were analysed using Chi-square test.
 Results: The study found that most respondents have normal level of depression (55.1%), anxiety (42.8%) and stress (65.4%). Most respondents also practiced vigorous physical activity (47.3%). However, no significant association were found between depression, anxiety, stress and physical activity that may be due to inadequate sample size.
 Conclusion: The study found that mental health status among undergraduate students in International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan Campus after MCO period was at normal level and living in active lifestyle, though no significant association were found between these parameters.