Community Knowledge, Perceived Beliefs and Associated Factors of Mental Distress: A Case Study from Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: All of society is affected by mental health problems, not just a minor, isolated part. Mental health problems represent a major challenge to the global development of community health. This study examined the community health knowledge, perceived beliefs, and associated factors of mental distress (MD) in Mekelle city in Northern Ethiopia. Methods: The current study used a cross-sectional approach calculating a sample of 260 adults living in the two sub-cities of Mekelle city. To select the sample households in each sub-city, systematic random sampling was used. Self-reported questionnaire (SRQ-20 with a cutoff point of 7), and Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) instruments were included within the structured questionnaire tool to clarify community occurrence and the level of health mental knowledge. Results: The likelihood of having MD was higher among the study participants who were female, employed, self-employed, and daily alcohol and khat users. The results also showed that the level of mental health knowledge among the participants was low. Conclusions: Factors such as being male, having a higher level of education, and having strong levels of social support were found to be the independent predictors of good mental health and community mental health knowledge.

Mental health literacy of the Lebanese population (MHeLLP): a cross-sectional study

“…Because of this and the unavailability of studies using or applying the optimal MAKS scale scoring in Lebanon, the researchers of the current study were compelled to compare the study findings to those of other countries. On this note, a study conducted in Northern Ethiopia yielded an average MAKS score of 21.4 out of 30, which is lower than the mean score of this study (Gebrekidan Abbay et al, 2018). This can be explained by the lack of appropriate mental health awareness and predominance of spiritual and supernatural beliefs (such as witchcraft, evil eye and God's punishment) regarding mental disorders and its causes among the Ethiopian citizens (Benti et al, 2016).…”

Progress and Research Trends on Catha edulis (Vahl) Endl. (Catha edulis): A Review and Bibliometric Analysis

“…According to these keywords, important research was retrieved. Similarly to amphetamine, a powerful psychotomimetic stimulant, Catha edulis produces various mental distress and psychotic symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, depression, reduced appetite, strange experiences, and hallucinations ( Lemieux et al, 2015 ; Widmann, 2017 ; Abbay et al, 2018 ; Ongeri et al, 2019 ). The prolonged anorexia leads to low body weight in Catha edulis chewers and low birth weight of newborns in maternal users ( Tesfay et al, 2019 ).…”

Prevalence and Stigma of Postpartum Common Mental Disorders in the Gurage Region of Ethiopia: A Mixed-Methods Observational Cohort Study

“…Further studies are needed to define the prevalence of common mental disorders in postpartum women in Ethiopia. In particular, further research is needed on perceptions of mental illness by community members, as this could impact the way in which the SRQ survey questions are understood and answered, thus affecting the prevalence reported (Monteiro and Balogun, 2013a;Abbay et al, 2018).…”

“…Mental health stigma appears to be prevalent in the Ethiopian culture, and may be inhibiting mental health recognition and treatment (Monteiro and Balogun, 2013b). Many in Ethiopiamore than half (56.5%) of study participants in Mekelle city in Northern Ethiopia-fail to recognize depression as a mental illness (Abbay et al, 2018). A number of studies have been conducted regarding the stoicism of the Ethiopian culture as well as the reluctance to show negative emotions, which may be a reason for lack of consistent discussion about emotions that may indicate mental illness (Neuner et al, 2012;Ayers et al, 2017;Evason, 2018).…”