Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Factors Associated with Common Mental Disorders among Women of Reproductive Age Group at Arbaminch Town, Southern Ethiopia: Cross Sectional Study

Yacob Abraham, Niguse Yigzaw and Fisseha Zewde

Background: Common mental disorders which include: Depression, Anxiety and Somatoform disorders make a significant contribution to the burden of disease and disability in low and middle income countries. Women are more exposed and affected by common mental disorders than men as reported by different studies from developing and developed countries. The condition is worst in low income countries. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess prevalence and associated factors of Common Mental Disorders among Women of reproductive age group at Arbaminch Town, southern Ethiopia.
Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted from April 20 to May 20, 2014 in Arbaminch town. The data was collected by using interviewer administered questionnaire. The study was conducted among 845 women of reproductive age group among Arbaminch town residents; in which household was taken as a sampling unit. Common mental disorder was assessed using the self-reporting questionnaire. Bivariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with common mental disorders and P-value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant.
Results: A total of 845 questionnaires were distributed and 835 were available for analysis giving a response rate of 98.8%. The prevalence of common mental disorders was found to be 31%. Family history of mental illness(AOR=4.36;95% CI:1.68,11.34)., chronic medical illness (AOR=2.96,95% CI:1.96,4.47) and early age at first marriage(AOR=1.91;95% CI:1.32,2.77) were significantly associated factors with common mental disorders.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Common mental disorders among women of reproductive age group population at Arbaminch town was significantly high. Common mental disorders were significantly associated with family history of mental illness, chronic medical illness and early age at first marriage in the town. Therefore proper screening for common mental disorders among reproductive age group is crucial and mother during ANC follow up should be screened for common mental disorders. Particularly emphasis should be given for those who have family history of mental illness, women with chronic medical illness and women married before age of 18.