Mental distress and associated factors among orphan children: case of kechene and kolfe governmental child care and rehabilitation center
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Date
2018-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Research in the developed world has explored effects of bereavement on children, and has
showed differing mental health effects of parental loss. In our country, however, the relationship
between mental distress of orphan who live in child care and rehabilitation center and
associated factors has received little attention. To assess the mental distress and associated
factors among orphan children in children’s care and rehabilitation center in Addis Ababa.
Cross sectional quantitative study was conduct on two purposively selected governmental child
care and rehabilitation center, namely Kechene and Kolfe in Addis Ababa, from January to
December, 2017. All Children who were in the age group of 11 - 18 years residing in child care
and rehabilitation center orphan were included in the study. A structured questionnaire from
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were translated into Amharic language and used
to collect data; EPI info version 7 and STATA version 12 were used to data entry and analysis.
Multivariate analysis was applied to identify correlates of mental distress and independent
variables. More than half (51.81%) of children who were included in the study experience
mental distress; the most prevalent type of mental distress was Depression (52.9%) followed by
anxiety (51.1%).On the other hand, 31.9% of respondents were experienced abnormal Anxiety
and Depression Symptoms. Both children’s educational status (P<0.037) and quality of
relationship with worker (P<0.004) had significantly associated with depression, while quality
of relationship with worker (P<0.004) had significantly associated with Anxiety. This study
finding indicate depression and anxiety among child care and rehabilitation center orphan hood
were common, especially children who had poor relationship with care providers and lower
educational status were the most vulnerable; suggested that they may be in need of support. So,
early identification and intervention is necessary for the children living care and rehabilitation
center to prevent further consequences.
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Keywords
Mental distress, orphan, children, care and rehabilitation center.