Determinants of Common Mental Disorders Among Residents of Quiha Town, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Common mental disorders include anxiety, depression and somatic symptom related disorders which are the most prevalent mental disorders in the world and they can cause a significant public health problem. Some studies reported that individuals who are older, being female, separated, divorced or widowed, and having poor physical health were more likely to have common mental disorders. Therefore this study is expected to identify the determinants of common mental disorders in the community and inform to concerned bodies to improve the mental and psychological wellbeing of the community. Objective: To assess determinants of common mental disorders among residents of Quiha town, Tigray, northern Ethiopia 2018/2019 Method: A community based unmatched case-control study design was conducted on 297 adult residents of Quiha town 99 cases and 198 controls calculated using double population proportion formula by considering; 95% confidence interval, 80% power, and a 1:2 ratio of case and control groups. The study participant has selected two controls after each case. Data were collected by three trained BSc. Psychiatric nursing using self-reported questionnaire (SRQ20) through face to face interview and was supervised by one MSc. Student. Data entry was done by using EPI- Info version 4.2 and transferred to SPSS version 20.0 statistical software for cleaning, coding, and analysis. Logistic regression was computed to assess statistical association via Odds ratio, and the significance of statistical association was tested using a 95% confidence interval and P-value (0.05). Result: Out of 198cantrols and 99 cases participants [155(78.3%control & 74(74.7%) case] were females. Participants who were Son/daughter (AOR=0.37,95% CI:0.14_98) and being dependent (AOR=6.50, 95% CI:1.17_36.20), chronic illness(AOR=2.52;95%CI:1.10_5.80),experiencing stressful life event (AOR =2.50; 95% CI:1.20_5.13), moderate perceived stress level(AOR=5.92; 95% CI: 2.85_12.27)and high perceived stress level (AOR =122.82; 95% CI: 114.83_1063.60)were significantly associated with common mental disorders. Conclusion: The results of this study showed an association between common mental disorders and different determinants. This complex association may result in challenges control of common mental disorders. Screening programs for psychological problems can be used in primary health units. We recommend that mental health services have to be expanded to the community level with wide scale and mental health training of general health professionals. Funding Statement: Source of funding for this research is Mekelle University College of Health Science. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare they have no competing interests. Ethical Approval Statement: This study was carried out after obtaining ethical approval from the college of health sciences, Mekelle University.