A study of psychosocial challenges of public secondary school students in a semi-urban area of Southwest- Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This study was done to identify the psychosocial challenges of public school students in Ore and the associated factors that may predispose the students to these challenges.

Methodology: The study is descriptive with cross – sectional design. A total of three hundred and fifty seven respondents who accurately completed the questionnaire were included in the study. Descriptive statistics was done and results were presented in percentages using tables.

Results: The findings revealed a good number of the respondents are able to identify with some of the psychosocial health problems such as bully (43.1%), anger (33.9%), hunger in school (40.1%) and thought of committing suicide (21.8%). The perceived factors related to the causes of these identified psychosocial health problems by the respondents were poverty (94.1%}, peer pressure (96.4%), abuse and neglect (86.3%), emotional stressors (96%) among others.

Conclusion: The Public health Nurses and School health nurses should work with school administrators to enhance mental health of school children with a view to ensuring conducive learning environment that will promote academic performances.

Keywords: Psychosocial, Challenges, Mental health, Public schools, Ore Odigbo, Nigeria