BMC Women's Health (Jun 2024)

Magnitude of psychological distress and associated factors among war survivor women in Northern, Ethiopia, 2022: a community-based cross-sectional survey

  • Endalamaw Salelew,
  • Yohannes Awoke Assefa,
  • Rediet Getachew,
  • Goshu Nenko,
  • Biruk Fanta,
  • Tadele Amare,
  • Demeke Demilew,
  • Endalkachew Dellie,
  • Andualem Yalew Aschalew,
  • Geta Asrade,
  • Zelalem Demeke,
  • Kegnie Shitu,
  • Getachew Azeze Eriku,
  • Chanyalew Worku,
  • Alemu Kassaw Kibret,
  • Tsegaye Gebremedhin Haile,
  • Melkamu Tamir Hunegnaw,
  • Haileab Fekadu,
  • Ayenew Molla,
  • Aysheshim Kassahun Belew,
  • Asmamaw Atnafu,
  • Tadesse Guadu,
  • Mezgebu Yitayal,
  • Netsanet Worku,
  • Kassahun Alemu Gelaye,
  • Telake Azale,
  • Tadesse Awoke

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03161-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background Civilian war and internal conflicts increase the incidences of mental health conditions among war survivors. It is crucial to assess war-related psychological consequences in war-affected areas in Ethiopia to intervene in the future. Thus, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of psychological distress and associated factors of psychological distress among war survivor women in Northern, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted, and 1596 war survivor women were recruited to participate using a face-to-face interviews with a census sampling technique from May 1–30, 2022. The psychological distress was assessed using a Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were used, and variables with a p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable analyses were considered statistically significant. Result In this study, the response rate was 100% and the prevalence of psychological distress was 44.90% at a 95% CI: (42.40, 47.40). Psychological distress was significantly associated with the education of ability to read and write (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 2.12, 4.01), primary education and above (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI: 2.09, 4.54), housewife (AOR = 5.07; 95%CI: 2.64, 9.74), farmer (AOR = 8.92; 95%CI: 4.03, 19.70), emotional violence (AOR = 1.52; 95%CI: 1.05, 2.18), physical violence (AOR = 3.85; 95%CI: 2.37, 6.26) and sexual violence (AOR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.98, 5.33) whereas being separate was protective for psychological distress (AOR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.92). Conclusion The prevalence of psychological distress was found to be high. Therefore, women who are housewives, married, farmers, educated, and who have experienced violence must be the focus of governmental and private collaborative interventions to prevent war-related psychological morbidity and mortality.

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