Common mental disorders and its associated factors and mental health care services for Ethiopian labour migrants returned from Middle East countries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The migration of young Ethiopian men and women to the Middle East countries was mainly for economic reasons. The migration was largely irregular that posed a wide range of unfavorable life conditions for some of the migrants. The overall objective is to assess common mental disorders and its associated factors for Ethiopian migrants returned from the Middle East countries and to describe mental health care services targeting these migrants. METHODS: The study employed a mixed-methods approach. For the quantitative part, a systematic random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 517 returnees. An interviewer-administered questionnaire based on Self Report Questionnaire-20 was used to collect data from respondents. The qualitative study employed a phenomenological study design to describe mental health care services. Key informant interviews and non-participant observation techniques were used to collect qualitative data. RESULTS: The prevalence of common mental disorder among Ethiopian migrants returned from the Middle East countries was found to be 29.2%. education (AOR=2.90 95%CI: 1.21, 6.94), physical abuse (AOR=12.17 95%CI: 5.87, 25.22), not getting salary properly and timely (AOR=3.35 95%CI: 1.47, 7.63), history of mental illness in the family (AOR=6.75 95%CI: 1.03, 43.95), detention (AOR=4.74 95%CI: 2.60, 8.62), guilty feeling for not fulfilling goal (AOR=9.58 95%CI: 4.43, 20.71), and denial of access to health care (AOR=3.20 95%CI:1.53, 6.67) were significantly associated with a common mental disorder. Shelter based and hospital-based mental health care services were rendered for a few return migrants with mental disorders. The services were primarily targeted, female return migrants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of common mental disorder was high among migrants returned from the Middle East countries. Despite the high burden of mental distress, only a small proportion of return migrants with mental illness is getting mental health care services.

Access to water source, latrine facilities and other risk factors of active trachoma in Ankober, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence and correlates of active trachoma in Ankober, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted during July 2007. A total of 507 children (ages 1-9 years), from 232 households were included in the study. All children were examined for trachoma by ophthalmic nurses using the WHO simplified clinical grading system. Interviews and observations were used to assess risk factors. Logistic regression procedures were used to determine associations between potential risk factors and signs of active trachoma. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of active trachoma was found to be 53.9% (95%CI 49.6%-58.2%). Presence of fly-eye (fly contact with the eyelid margin during eye examination) (Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.03 95% CI 1.40-11.59), absence of facial cleanliness (OR = 7.59; 95%CI 4.60-12.52), an illiterate mother (OR = 5.88; 95%CI 2.10-15.95), lack of access to piped water (OR = 2.19; 95%CI 1.14-6.08), and lack of access to latrine facilities (OR = 4.36; 95%CI 1.49-12.74) were statistically significantly associated with increased risk of active trachoma. CONCLUSION: Active trachoma among children 1-9 years of age in Ankober is highly prevalent and significantly associated with a number of risk factors including access to water and latrine facilities. Trachoma prevention programs that include improved access to water and sanitation, active fly control, and hygiene education are recommended to lower the burden of trachoma in Ankober, Ethiopia.