Mental distress and podoconiosis in Northern Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Elizabeth Mousley, Kebede Deribea, Abreham Tamiru, Sara Tomczyk, Charlotte Hanlon, Gail Davey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Background: The stigma, deformity and disability related to most neglected tropical diseases may lead to poor mental health. We aimed to assess the comorbidity of podoconiosis and mental distress. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012, including 346 3people with podoconiosis and 349 3healthy neighbourhood controls. Symptoms of mental distress were assessed using the validated Amharic translation of the Kessler-10 1scale (K10). A linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with mental distress. Results: The mean K 10 1scorewas 15. 92 9(95% CI: 15. 27 2to 16.57) in people with podoconiosis and 14. 49 4(95% CI: 13. 85 8to 15.12) in controls (average K 10 1scores 1. 43 4points higher [95% CI: 0. 52 5to 2.34]). In multivariate linear regression of K 10 1scores, the difference remained significant when adjusted for gender, income, alcohol use, age, place of residence and family history of mental illness. In the adjusted model, people with podoconiosis had K 10 1scores 1. 37 3points higher than controls (95% CI: 0. 64 6to 2.18). Other variables were also associated with high K 10 1scores: women had K 10 1scores 1. 41 4points higher than men (95% CI: 0. 63 6to 2.18). Those with family history of mental illness had K 10 1scores 3. 56 5points higher than those without (95% CI: 0. 55 5to 6.56). Conclusions: This study documented a high burden of mental distress among people with podoconiosis compared with healthy controls. Taking this finding in the context of the high stigma and reduced quality of life, we recommend integration of psychosocial care into the current morbidity management of podoconiosis.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-25
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Health
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2015

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Elephantiasis
  • Ethiopia
  • Mental distress
  • Mental health disorders
  • Neglected tropical disease
  • Podoconiosis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mental distress and podoconiosis in Northern Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this