ABSTRACT
Background to the study: The pressure placed on the student through their academics in terms of taking rest and meeting requirement for grade have been the major source of stress for undergraduates. Existing research has documented an increased prevalence of sleep problems and mental health problems among university students.
Aim(s): This study was aimed to determine the association of physical activity, perceived stress level and sleep quality in association with mental wellbeing of undergraduate.
Methodology: A correlational study design was used in this study. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select respondents for this study. The sample size recruited for this study was 390 participants. The Physical activity level, Perceived stress level, Sleep quality and Mental wellbeing were assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, respectively.
Results: The result showed that 176(45.1%) of the participants were not physically active, 193(49.5%) were moderately active while 21(5.4%) were highly active. 64(16.4%) of the participants were reported with low perceived stress, 259(66.4%) were reported with moderate perceived stress and 67(17.2%) were reported with high perceived stress. 144(36.9%) of the participants were reported with poor sleep quality and 246(63.1%) were reported with good sleep quality. 101(25.9%) of the participants were reported with low mental well-being, 244(62.6%) were reported with medium mental well-being while 45(11.5%) were reported with high mental well-being.
Conclusion: There is an average prevalence of physical inactivity, high prevalence of moderate perceived stress level and a moderate prevalence poor sleep quality and there is a low prevalence of high mental wellbeing among undergraduates. There is a significant positive association of physical activity, sleep quality and mental wellbeing. Also, there is a significant negative association of perceived stress level, physical activity, sleep quality and mental wellbeing.
