Post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and associated factors among returnee women migrants from Middle East countries: The case of Jimma town

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and associated factors among returnee migrant women from Middle East in Jimma town. A cross-sectional research design involving mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative (concurrent research design) was used. Using systematic random sampling 127 participants were selected for the study. The data was collected through closed and open-ended questionnaires containing standardized scales PTSD checklist civilian version, GAD 7 generalized anxiety disorder 7 scale, and interviews. Mean, SD, percentage, binary logistic regression, and multiple linear regressions were done for the quantitative data and data collected through interview was analyzed by using thematic analysis. The result of the study showed that prevalence of PTSD was 27.1 % (F= 32) and out of 118 a total of four respondents were had severe and 20 of them had moderate anxiety level and the binary logistic regression indicates that, socio demographic variable such as migration status p =.003, marital status p = .010 were significantly associated with PTSD. Possible factors such as exposed to psychological, sexual and physical abuse p = .001, exposed to worse or excessive working hours p = .018, restriction of freedom to movement and to contact family and friends p = .010, exposed to robberies in destination or during travel p = .013 and way of travel p= .007 were significantly associated with PTSD. Income (ß = .438, P = .005) and education level (ß = .2.492, P = .014), strongly and positively associated with level of GAD. The qualitative result also support that physical, sexual, and psychological abuses by employer were the major risk factors of PTSD among women returnee migrants. In general, the mental health and unemployment problems of returnee migrants need attention from government and NGOs those works on migrants.