Abstract:
Background: Patients with severe mental illness have an increased risk of physical victimization. Any
form of violence against patients with severe mental illnesses worsens the condition leading to poor
outcomes. Nevertheless, this topic was not thoroughly studied in Ethiopian patients with severe mental
illness.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of physical violence and its associated factors
among patients with severe mental illnesses attending follow-up treatment at Jimma University Medical
Center, psychiatric clinic, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed. A total of 318 samples were selected
by using a systematic random sampling technique, by using proportional allocation (i.e. kth value K=N/n,
(major depression 2210/715 6.9≈7), (Bipolar 2210/570 6.9≈7), (schizophrenia 2210/925 6.9≈7). Data
was collected Through face-to-face interviews using a measured using an adopted study done in Brazil
and the US study It was measured by using YES or NO questions .Data was entered into epi data
manager (version 4.6) and exported to SPSS software (version 25.0) for analysis. Bivariate binary
logistic regression analysis was performed and variables with p-value < 0.25 were considered candidates
for multivariable binary logistic regression. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were done
and statistically significant variables were declared at 5%.
Results: A total of 297 pat participated in the study. The prevalence of physical victimization was 156
(52.5%) with (95%Cl= 46.8%, 58.2%). Male gender (AOR=3.5; 95%Cl= 1.178,8.187), non-adherence to
medication (AOR=2.156; 95%CI= 1.142,5.145), previous hospitalization (AOR=3.4, 95%CI:
1.011,6.518), life time alcohol use (AOR=2.3; 95%Cl= 1.156,4.745), life time khat chewing (AOR=2.8;
95%Cl= 1.751,6124) and having suicidal ideation and behavior (AOR=3.7; 95%Cl= 1.846,9.471) were
associated with physical violence.
Conclusion & recommendation: This study showed that more than half of people with severe mental
illness are physically victimized. Furthermore,being males with a history of hospitalization, medication
non-adherence, lifetime alcohol use, khat chewing, and suicidal ideation and behavior had higher rates of
victimization. These findings should prompt us to thoroughly assess our patients for a history of physical
victimization and act accordingly.
