Psychiatric morbidity and substance use in migrant workers: A population based study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of mental health problems and substance abuse in the migrant population is higher than the general population. Aims and Objectives: To assess the prevalence and pattern of mental health issues and substance use in the migrant population and highlight the association with the reverse migration of migrant workers. Methodology: The field staff visited the shelter homes for migrant population in four cities of Northern India (Chandigarh (UT), Bhatinda (Punjab), Panchkula (Haryana) and Jaipur (Rajasthan). After maintaining the social distance and wearing masks by the staff and migrants, written informed consent was taken for participation in the study. The socio-demographic details of reverse migrants were noted down and Hindi version of Primary Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for mental health problems and screening tool for pattern of substance abuse was administered. Geographically matched undisplaced were also administered these tools. Results: A total of 275 reverse migrants and 276 undisplaced were included in the study. The prevalence of ever use for all the substances among reverse migrants was 44.4% (122/275) and among undisplaced, it was 45.3%. The prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis was higher than the general population. The prevalence of at least one diagnosis on PHQ-9 is 13.45% (reverse migrants 19.3% and undisplaced 7.6) and the prevalence of other depressive disorder is significantly higher in reverse migrants (17.1%) than undisplaced (4.0%). Conclusion: The study concludes that prevalence of mental health issues and substance abuse in migrant population is significantly higher than the general population and the prevalence of at least one diagnosis and other depressive disorder is significantly higher in reverse migrants than undisplaced.

Psychosocial and Mental Health Issues of the Migrants Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic in India: A Narrative Review

“…Only nine articles were original research work. They included seven cross-sectional studies [6][7][8][9][10][11] and two qualitative studies, 13,14 and an experiential report. 15 Four studies were multicentric from various states and cities of India and were conducted with strong methodology and assessments.…”

“…15 Four studies were multicentric from various states and cities of India and were conducted with strong methodology and assessments. [6][7][8][9] The findings pertaining to the migrants in the four multicentric studies have been highlighted in Table 1. The number of participants in various research studies ranged from 25 to 35,000.…”

“…The number of participants in various research studies ranged from 25 to 35,000. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The large population-based observational study of a sample of 35,000 was reported from the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. 6 The authors collected data from helpline records established to address the various psychosocial issues of the migrants.…”

“…The research work was from 13 states and one union territory, including state Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha, West Bengal, and Gujarat, Assam. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The native places of the migrants were Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal. 6,7,11 The psychosocial support and measures were better in Kerala than other states.…”

“…A small number of studies found some migrants to have mental health issues. [6][7][8][9]15 In a North Indian study, the prevalence of substance use was found to be higher among migrants than the general population. 8 The prevalence of ever use for all the substances was 44%, ever use of alcohol was 16%, and the current use of alcohol was 11% among migrants.…”