Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

Mental Distress and Associated Factors among Health Professionals Working in Tertiary Teaching Hospital, South West Ethiopia

Biksegn Asrat, Eshetu Girma, Matiwos Soboka and Kenfe Tesfay

Background: Health care is a demanding profession physically and mentally which contributes risk for mental distress. Even though it studied well in economically advanced nations, little is known among health professionals in Africa. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and risk factors of mental distress among health professionals.

Methods: This study was conducted from November 15, 2013 to December 15, 2013 at JUTH using an institution based cross-sectional study design. All health professionals (N=403) were included from various disciplines. Selfreport questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to detect mental distress. Other structured questionnaire related to sociodemographic characteristics, burnout, work related condition, and substance use habits were used to collect data.

Result: Out of the total study participants (n=334), 29.9% (n=100) of them were found to have mental distress. Prevalence of mental distress among substance user health professionals was higher compared with non-users. After adjusting for potential confounders, mental distress was 4.47 times higher among participants with high burnout score (AOR=4.47, 95%CI=2.37-8.44). Additionally, the likelihood of developing mental distress among physically and verbally abused staffs was 2.34 times higher than their counterparts. Also it was more than two times higher among health professionals reported poor prospect of promotion than those who reported good prospect of promotion.

Conclusion: Identified association of work related factors with mental distress needs for immediate and far-reaching interventions of stress reduction therapy. Finding adequate prevention strategies to combat burnout seems therefore very crucial.