Assessment of Socio-demographic Factors and Self-esteem among Imo State University Medical Students, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess socio-demographic factors that influence self esteem among medical in Imo state University, Orlu Campus, Nigeria. A total number of 472 students, 232 males and 240 females, were randomly selected from among the 700 medical students in the University. Self esteem was assessed using 10- item Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Socio-demographic data was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Data obtained from the research was analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Frequency tables, means and percentages were generated. Pearson’s correlation was used to test for association between self esteem and the variables. The results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 23.58±0.16. The mean score of self-esteem among the students was 22.08±0.25. A total of 429(90.89%) of the participants had high self esteem while 43(9.11%) had low self esteem. The results also showed statistically significant positive relationships between self esteem and primary school attended (r=0.125, p=0.001), learning environment (r=0.137, p=0.007), monthly allowance from the sponsor (r=0.189, p= 0.001), provision of essential materials by the sponsor (r=0.146, p=0.001) and educational level of the sponsor (r= 0.096, p=0.038). The results revealed that majority of the respondents had high self-esteem, choose to read medicine on their own and were mainly sponsored by their parents. There is significant positive correlation between self-esteem and primary school attended, learning environment, and sponsor’s educational level, monthly allowance and provision of essential items to the students (p<0.05). The high self-esteem among the students may be attributed to the strong family support, effective learning environment and good schools attended.  Therefore it is recommended that government should provide conducive learning environment with adequate infrastructures while parents and/or sponsors should endeavor to provide all the essential needs of the students to ensure sustainable high level of self esteem.