Depressive symptoms and associated social and environmental factors among women living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

Winter, Samantha C.; Musyimi, Christine; Mutiso, Victoria; Ndetei, David M.

doi:10.1080/17441692.2023.2200499

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…At the community level, women are often excluded from or have diminished roles in decision-making processes such as discussions of public infrastructural development projects and budgeting (20,22,26) and are more exposed to gender-based violence at home (22) and in the community. Consequently, women are often burdened by symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress (27)(28)(29), which are often linked with poor quality sleep (30,31).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that Affect the Sleep of Women in Informal Settlements in Kenya

Ukoh,

Achieng,

Plaxico

et al. 2023

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Background Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Most sleep quality and health research focuses on high-income countries. Less is known about the sleep quality of women residing in lower and middle-income Countries (LMICs), including Kenya. Many physical, psychological, cultural, and environmental factors influence quality of sleep. There is limited research focused on sleep quality among women in LMICs, and no research explicitly focused on women in informal settlements in these countries; yet, women in informal settlements in LMICs often face challenges that could severely affect sleep health. Through an exploratory mixed-methods study, we explore rates of sleep quality and self-reported factors associated with sleep disturbance among a probability sample of n = 800 women in two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Findings will contribute to the knowledge base regarding sleep quality within populations in informal settlements, which may inform tailored interventions and policies designed to nurture the distinct sleep needs of people living in LMICs. Methods Data were collected in September 2022. The data were part of the baseline of an 18-month longitudinal cohort study examining mental health and climate change among women living in two informal settlements in Nairobi–Mathare and Kibera. Items from the Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (B-PSQI) were collected to examine women's sleep habits and quality of sleep. Quality of sleep scores were calculated. Open-ended questions were asked about factors contributing to sleep disturbance, and a thematic analysis was conducted to summarize the findings. Findings: Just under 29% of women (N = 229) met the criteria for poor quality sleep. Open-ended findings identify stress as the main factor affecting sleep. Childcare, financial instability, physical health, climate, grief, and loss also impacted women's sleep. Interpretation: The findings of this paper highlight the need for more research focused on sleep quality in informal settlements in LMICs, especially among women. We suggest that interventionists and policymakers can develop targeted interventions and policies to improve sleep quality and address risk factors by better understanding this population's specific challenges and enhancing overall awareness and education of sleep and its importance for health in these communities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that Affect the Sleep of Women in Informal Settlements in Kenya

Ukoh,

Achieng,

Plaxico

et al. 2023

Preprint

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A review on different analytical strategies for the detection of sertraline: Current challenges and future perspective

Shaha,

Nangare,

Patil

et al. 2024

Microchemical Journal

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Prevalence and associated factors of mental and substance use problems among adults in Kenya: a community-based cross-sectional study

Mwangala,

Kerubo,

Makandi

et al. 2024

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BackgroundData on the burden and determinants of mental and substance use problems among women in urban and rural informal settlements in Kenya is sparse, thus limiting preventive and treatment efforts in these areas. To bridge the gap, we (a) determined the prevalence of depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol and drug use problems among women compared to their spouses and (b) examined the risk and protective indicators associated with these outcomes.MethodsData collection for this cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022 in Mombasa, Kwale and Nairobi counties in Kenya. A total of 1528 adults (1048 women) took part. The 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7-Item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and Drug Use Disorders Identification Test were administered alongside other measures. Logistic regression was used to examine the correlates of mental and substance use problems.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of mental and substance use problems was 28% vs 22% (depressive symptoms), 12% vs 8% (general anxiety symptoms), 22% vs 21% (PTSD symptoms), 4% vs 15% (alcohol use problems), and 2% vs 12% (drug use problems) among women and their spouses respectively. The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was significantly higher among women compared to their male counterparts. On the other hand, both current and past-year alcohol and drug use were significantly higher in men than women. Among women, stressful life events, urban residence, food insecurity, family debt, unemployment, poor self-rated health, poor eyesight, and higher educational level were the risk indicators for elevated depressive, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. Conversely, sexual abuse, living in rented houses, urban residence, verbal abuse, stressful life events, and somatic complaints were the risk indicators for depressive, anxiety and PTSD symptoms in men. Protective indicators against mental health problems included social support, higher subjective wellbeing, older age (>50 years), increased vigorous exercise and higher household income (in both sexes). Risk indicators for current alcohol use in women included stressful life events, urban residence, being sexually active, and living in a single family. Among men, higher household income was associated with current alcohol use. Protective indicators against current alcohol use included being married, living in a larger household (>5), being a Muslim and having multimorbidity (in both sexes). Risk indicators for current drug use included unemployment and sexual abuse. Female sex was associated with reduced odds of current drug use.ConclusionThe burden of mental and substance use problems in women and their spouses is elevated for most of the conditions assessed. However, needs vary by gender and study location, highlighting the importance of targeted approaches in mental health services. Our results also highlight the need for multicomponent preventive and treatment strategies to mitigate the risks of mental and substance use problems in this population.

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Depressive symptoms and associated social and environmental factors among women living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

Cited by 4 publications

References 65 publications

Factors that Affect the Sleep of Women in Informal Settlements in Kenya

Factors that Affect the Sleep of Women in Informal Settlements in Kenya

A review on different analytical strategies for the detection of sertraline: Current challenges and future perspective

Prevalence and associated factors of mental and substance use problems among adults in Kenya: a community-based cross-sectional study

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