The main purpose of this study was to assess the status of diabetic distress among diabetic patients of referral hospitals in Amhara Regional State. Hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted on 346 participants. The participants of the study were selected using both probability and nonprobability sampling techniques. The instrument of the study was adapted and contextualized to the Ethiopian context to avoid cultural conflicts, and then it was rated and piloted. Both descriptive and inferential techniques were used to analyze the data. The cut-off for low, moderate, and high distress level was <2, 2–2.9, and ≥3, respectively. From a total of 346 sample patients, 54 (15.6%) had experienced no or little distress (1.54 ± .28), 162 (46.8%) had moderate distress (2.78 ± .82), and 130 (37.6%) had experienced high distress (3.94 ± .62). Statistically significant difference was observed in the level of diabetic distress with respect to age, F(2, 343) = 4.336, p < .05; marital status, F(2, 343) = 4.590, p < .05; educational status, F(5, 340) = 2.831, p < .05; and having habits of planned physical exercise, F(3, 245) = 2.911, p < .05. Statistically significant difference was not observed for sex, smoking habits, an experience of living with diabetics, and occupational status. The result of regression analysis shows that the independent variable altogether accounted for only 4.2% of the variance of diabetic distress. Diabetic distress was a serious psychological problem among diabetic patients in the referral hospitals of Amhara Region.

Diabetes distress is a psychological reaction to the threat of diabetes, when an individuals diagnosed with diabetes consider the coping resources they possess as insufficient to manage the illness threat, thus triggering emotional distress specific to diabetes. Research conducted in Ethiopia regarding diabetes-related distress is scant. The main purpose of this study was to assess the status of diabetic distress among diabetic patients in the hospitals of the Amhara Region. A hospital-based cross-sectional survey research approach was employed. A total of 14 hospitals was included in the study using stratified simple random sample methods. The participans of the study were 532 diabetic patients who were selected using systematic simple random sampling methods. The pertinent data were collected using diabetic distress scale-17 (DDS-17). The instrument of the study was rated, piloted, and finally validated. Both descriptive and inferential techniques were used to analyze the data. The cutoff for low, moderate, and high distress level was <2, 2–2.9, and >3, respectively. The study revealed that the participant in the study area experienced a moderate level of distress. The status of diabetic distress for the diabetic sub-scale was also determined for emotional burden, physician-related distress, regimen-related distress, and interpersonal distress, it was also found to be (2.79 ± 0.85), (3.14 ± 0.87), (3.19 ± 0.81), and (3.04 ± 0.93) respectively. The most important domain in measuring diabetic distress was regimen-related distress. Statistically, a significant difference was detected in the level of diabetic distress among diabetic patients concerning marital status, educational status, the experience of living with diabetes, and having habits of planned physical exercise. Statistically, a significant difference was not observed for age, sex, and occupational status. Diabetic distress was a solemn psychological problem among diabetic patients in the hospitals of the Amhara Region. A strong policy document is required to bind the physical treatment with psychological elements to reduce distress

This study examined the causes of mental health problems among urban residents in Bahir Dar City Administration. To achieve the objectives, data were gathered from residents, psychologists, psychiatrists, and medical doctors through deep interviews. The qualitative analysis of the data gathered through interviews revealed that mental health problem is prevalent and linked with social, psychological, and economic factors and female and the adult population was disposed to the mental health problem than the remaining populations. Based on the findings conclusions and possible recommendations were also forwarded.