Psychological distress and associated factors among the attendees of traditional healing practices in Jinja and Iganga districts, Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Psychological distress is broadly defined as a state of emotional suffering characterized by symptoms of depression and anxiety combined by other somatic symptoms like; insomnia, headaches, and lack of energy that is likely to vary across different areas. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the prevalence of psychological distress and its’ associated factors among nurses in public hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia, 2017/18.Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia from February 1st, 2018 to April 1st, 2018. The total number of nurses who fulfill the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Data was collected using the predesigned tool like Self-Reporting Questionnaire version 20 (SRQ 20). Data were entered using EPI INFO version 7 and was exported to statistical packages for social science (SPSS) version 21.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to assess the degree of association between variables. Variables with a P-value of less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.Result: A total of 282 eligible nurses were enrolled in the study with mean age of 28.71 [SD ±7.047]. The prevalence of psychological distress among nurses was 78(27.7%). Predictor variables like; job title [AOR= 10.13, 95% CI (1.85, 55.41)], work experience [AOR= 4.98, 95% CI (1.59, 15.568)], interaction with staffs [AOR= .305, 95% CI (.117, .796)], fatigue [AOR= 2.54, 95% CI (1.072, 6.02)], social support [AOR= .189, 95% CI (.075, .474)], perfectionism [AOR= 5.697, 95% CI (1.449, 22.39)] and insomnia [AOR= 3.82, 95% CI (1.52, 9.579)] were found to be strong predictor variables for psychological distress.Conclusion: This study revealed that a considerable proportion of nurses had psychological distress. Therefore, strong social support, upgraded working status, and good interaction with staff should be encouraged among nurses working in the health setting to cope up with different stressors.

Download Full-text

Psychological distress among mountainous farmers in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and associated factors

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038490 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. e038490

Author(s):

Men Thi Hoang ◽

Khanh Nam Do ◽

Hai Quang Pham ◽

Cuong Tat Nguyen ◽

Giang Hai Ha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Information ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Major Health Problem ◽

Distress Scale

BackgroundPsychological distress has been known as a major health problem among farmers across the world. In Vietnam, approximately 50% of farmers have lived in rural and mountainous areas. Yet, little has been known about how psychological distress impacts mountainous farmers’ health.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors related to psychological distress among mountainous farmers in Vietnam.Design and settingA cross-sectional study was performed from August to September 2018 in Moc Chau district, Vietnam. A structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were used for data collection.ParticipantsA random sample of 197 farmers aged at least 18 years, spoke Vietnamese, was not suffering from severe diseases and residing in Moc Chau at the time of the survey were recruited.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) was employed to measure psychological distress. The tobit and logistic regressions were applied to indicate associated factors.ResultsThe prevalence of psychological distress was 38.2% (95% CI 31.3% to 45.5%). Having a greater comorbidities (OR=6.17; 95% CI 1.44 to 26.43), drinking alcohol (OR=3.86; 95% CI 1.02 to 14.59) and obtaining health information from health workers (OR=3.77; 95% CI 1.22 to 11.66) were positively associated with the prevalence of psychological distress. By contrast, being overweight (OR=0.29; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.93), adopting books as the primary source of health information (OR=0.11; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.8), and receiving a higher number of home visits by community health workers (CHWs) (OR=0.38; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.99) were negatively associated with the prevalence of psychological distress.ConclusionThis study highlighted a high prevalence of psychological distress among mountainous farmers. Providing routine psychological and physical health screening, developing CHWs to provide clinical support and raising health awareness are critical implications for reducing psychological distress in this population.

Download Full-text