Prevalence and Predictors of Psychological Distress Among University Students in Herat, Afghanistan

Objectives: University students are at an elevated risk for psychological distress, yet there is limited research on this issue in conflict-affected settings like Afghanistan. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress and identify key demographic and academic predictors among university students in Herat, Afghanistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2024 at Jami University. A total of 346 students were selected through stratified random sampling. A self-administered, paper-based questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and assessed psychological distress using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), with a score ≥3 indicating distress. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests and multivariate binary logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of psychological distress among students was 46.8%. The multivariate regression analysis identified several significant predictors. Students in their 7th academic year were more likely to experience distress compared to 1st-year students (OR = 2.081). Living in a dormitory was associated with lower odds of distress compared to living at home (OR = 0.417). Students in the faculties of Sharia (OR = 0.343) and Medicine (OR = 0.384) had lower odds of distress than Economics students. Furthermore, students whose mothers held a bachelor's degree had significantly higher odds of distress (OR = 2.786) compared to those with illiterate mothers. Conclusion: Many university students in Herat experience psychological distress, linked to factors like academic year, living situation, field of study, and maternal education. Targeted campus mental health services are urgently needed.