Prevalence of Physical Violence and Its Associated Factors Toward Patients with Severe Mental Illnesses Attending Treatment at Jimma University Medical Center, Psychiatric Clinic, Jimma, South-West Ethiopia.

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.