The Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Mental Distress in Children: The Case of Guenet Church Child Sponsorship Project, Addis Ketema Sub city, Addis Ababa
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Date
2008-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Addis Ketema subcity,
Kebele 06/07, with the objective of showing the prevalence of mental
distress in sponsored children, aged between 15 to 18 years, in Guenet
Church Child Sponsorship project during April 2008. The selF reporting
questionnaire combined with socio-demographic questionnaire items
were administered to 270 beneficiaries selected through systematic
random sampling technique. The questionnaire was completed, filtered
and the data of 248 children were analysed through percentage and
analysis of variance, and reported in this study. As a result, 48.8% of
the participants had scored above the cut off point and showed
symptoms of mental distress. The prevalence of mental distress was
also assessed in relation to socio-demographic variables and it was
notified that the mental distress was higher in female than male
respondents, in orphaned than non-orphaned children as well as in
respondents from large family sizes and with hearing and mobility
problems. Moreover, the prevalence of mental distress was found
highest among children who never attend religious services and whose
educational level was lowest. The mean score obtained across selected
socio-demographic variables were analysed and significant differences
were observed across all variables. Based on the findings of this study,
project holders and staff are suggested to study the impact of mental
distress, work on the underlying causes of mental distress with health
professionals and counsellors, and gwe special attention and
psychosocial support to orphaned children, children with large family
size, children with visible physical impairment! disability and lowest
level of education and revise a strategy to utilize religious services as
resources to support children with mental distress
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Education