Bekele, Desalegn (MD,MPhil)Tilahun, Assaye2018-10-302023-11-052018-10-302023-11-052018-01http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/13461Research 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.en-USMental distress, orphan, children, care and rehabilitation center.Thesis