Prevalence of Psychiatric Morbidity and Substance Use in Different Social Mobility Workers

Abstract

Background: Social mobility workers play crucial roles in community-based activities aimed at societal development, yet their mental health and substance use patterns remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and substance use among social mobility workers in Bangladesh to inform targeted interventions. Objective: To assess the prevalence and patterns of psychiatric morbidity and substance use among social mobility workers in Bangladesh. Method: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted across four divisionss of Bangladesh, focusing on reverse migrants—individuals employed in Dhaka, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Chittagong for at least six months and currently residing in temporary shelter homes. A random sample of 100 subjects, aged 18 years or older, were enrolled. Data were collected through questionnaires covering diagnostic categories and substance use patterns, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests. Results: The study revealed significant demographic distributions among respondents, with 67.2% falling within the 21–35 years age range, 25.4% in the 36–50 years group, and 4.1% and 3.3% in the ≤20 years and >50 years categories, respectively. Employment duration showed the highest percentage for durations between 7 and 12 months (29.5%) and exceeding 60 months (23.0%), while marital status indicated a predominance of married respondents (78.7%), followed by single (20.5%) and separated/widowed individuals (0.8%). Among social mobility workers, Community Health Workers constituted the largest group (20%), followed by Social Workers (15%) and Education Volunteers (12%), with other categories ranging from 5% to 10%. Additionally, substance use patterns varied, with alcohol being the most prevalent (21%), followed by tobacco (35.5%), cannabis (2.5%), and cannabis-ganja/charas (0.7%) over a lifetime. Anxiety disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric condition (30%), followed by ..........