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

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, Nigeri