Habtamu Kerebih and Matiwos Soboka
Background: Common mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and unexplained somatic symptoms and substance use disorders such as alcohol, khat and cigarette contributes to disability and distress to the population impeding productivity and affecting societal wellbeing. Recognizing this, the current study was conducted to be one input for policy maker’s efforts in reforming mental health care among the community in our country.
Objective: This study assessed prevalence of common mental disorders and its associated factors among residents of Jimma town, March, 2015.
Methodology: Community based cross sectional study was conducted in March, 2015 in Jimma town using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. A total of 745 residents were selected using multi stage probability sampling technique. Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) was used to determine the prevalence of common mental disorders. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression analysis was used for both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Strength of association of the variables was determined using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.
Results: From a total of 745 respondents, 729 completed the study from which 380 (52.1%) were females. The prevalence of common mental disorders was 33.6%. Variables such as older age, being female, housewife, unable to read and write, chewing khat and having chronic physical illness were significantly associated with higher prevalence of common mental disorders. While being married in marital status was found to be a protective factor from common mental disorders.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of common mental disorders among residents of Jimma town. The risk of common mental disorders was higher in females, housewives, in those who were unable to read and write, in current khat users and in respondents who reported to have chronic physical illness. To improve the mental health status of the community, mental health training has to be given to general health care workers in the country. By doing so, appropriate intervention will be taken on factors contributing to common mental disorders.