Abstract
BackgroundUniversity students are often perceived to have a privileged position in society and considered immune to ill-health and disability. There is growing evidence that a sizeable proportion experience poor physical health, and that the prevalence of psychological disorders is higher in university students than their community peers. This study examined the physical and mental health issues for first year Australian rural university students and their perception of access to available health and support services.MethodsCross-sectional study design using an online survey form based on the Adolescent Screening Questionnaire modeled on the internationally recognised HEADSS survey tool. The target audience was all first-year undergraduate students enrolled in an on-campus degree program. The response rate was 41% comprising 355 students (244 females, 111 males). Data was analysed using standard statistical techniques including descriptive and inferential statistics; and thematic analysis of the open-ended responses.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 20.2 years (SD 4.8). The majority of the students lived in on-campus residential college style accommodation, and a third combined part-time paid work with full-time study. Most students reported being in good physical health. However, on average two health conditions were reported over the past six months, with the most common being fatigue (56%), frequent headaches (26%) and allergies (24%). Mental health problems included anxiety (25%), coping difficulties (19.7%) and diagnosed depression (8%). Most respondents reported adequate access to medical doctors and support services for themselves (82%) and friends (78%). However the qualitative comments highlighted concerns about stigma, privacy and anonymity in seeking counselling.ConclusionsThe present study adds to the limited literature of physical and mental health issues as well as barriers to service utilization by rural university students. It provides useful baseline data for the development of customised support programs at rural campuses. Future research using a longitudinal research design and multi-site studies are recommended to facilitate a deeper understanding of health issues affecting rural university students.
Highlights
University students are often perceived to have a privileged position in society and considered immune to ill-health and disability
The findings of the current study have added to the literature on the health status of young people and in particular, rural university students
With the high rates of physical and mental health conditions being found amongst the university student population, the implications in terms of burden of disease are far-reaching
Summary
University students are often perceived to have a privileged position in society and considered immune to ill-health and disability. This study examined the physical and mental health issues for first year Australian rural university students and their perception of access to available health and support services. Undergraduate university students comprise a sizeable portion of the younger population and go on to wield a considerable degree of influence in society through the key roles adopted in the future as professionals, senior executives and politicians [1]. Various authors have used ‘late adolescent’ and ‘young adults’ in discussing health issues concerning 18–24 year olds [5,7,8]. We have used the terms ‘health’ and ‘well-being’ to ensure a more holistic approach, encompassing a spectrum of self-reported physical, emotional and mental health issues [9]
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