Psychological distress among Ethiopian migrant returnees who were in quarantine in the context of COVID-19: institution-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background In association with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many numbers of Ethiopian migrants are returning to their home country, and they are required to stay in mandatory quarantine centers. This results in severe disruptions of life routines, social isolation, and loss of freedom. Studies on psychological distress among Ethiopian migrant returnees in the context of COVID-19 are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among migrant returnees who were in quarantine during the time of COVID-19. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 405 migrant returnees recruited from quarantine centers in Addis Ababa. We developed a structured questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic, migration related, quarantine related and COVID-19 related characteristics of participants. We used the 21 item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale to assess psychological distress. Univariate and multivariable negative binomial regression models were fitted to assess the association between exposure variables with depression, anxiety and stress separately. Results A little more than half of the participants (55%) had depressive symptoms; around half had anxiety symptoms (48.9%) and more than a third (35.6%) experienced symptoms of stress. We found significantly higher prevalence of anxiety (ARR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.39, 0.91) and depressive symptoms (ARR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.39, 0.81) among women than men. Fear of discrimination after the quarantine was significantly associated with depressive (ARR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.63, 0.92) and anxiety symptoms (ARR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.62, 0.97). Experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms is associated with depressive (ARR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.65), anxiety (ARR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.20, 0.62) and stress symptoms (ARR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.28, 0.66). Have no a plan of what to do after the quarantine (ARR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.09, 1.54) was significantly associated with increasing stress scores. Conclusions We found a very high prevalence of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms among Ethiopian migrant returnees who were in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Screening, integration of mental health services with other socioeconomic and psychosocial services, and effective and efficient referral may be useful to address the burden of psychological distress in this group.

Anxiety and Stress Related to COVID-19 Among the Community Dwelling Older Adults Residing in the Largest Refugee Camp of the World

“…However, a few studies in other refugee setting used different scales and reported a relatively lower level of COVID-19 related anxiety and stress. For example, a cross-sectional study conducted on migrant returnees (mean age 26 years) in quarantine in Ethiopia found that 48.9% had anxiety symptoms, and more than one-third of the participants (35.6%) had encountered stress (Habtamu et al, 2021 ). Another study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic on Bhutanese and Burmese refugees (aged 30–50 years) showed that 68.8% of the participants had stress (Zhang et al, 2022 ).…”

Health of International Migrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

“…Measures to contain the spread of the virus have involved lockdowns and mobility restrictions, while migrant essential workers have had to work in precarious working conditions with a high risk of infection due to limited health and safety protection measures ( 9 ). All of this appears to have been detrimental to migrants' mental health, both for those who have remained in destination countries ( 50 ) and for those who have been forced to return to their countries of origin ( 51 ). According to our results and the research on migrant health in general ( 52 , 53 ), mental health of migrant workers during COVID-19 seems to be of great interest to researchers.…”

Immigrants in Norway: Resilience, challenges and vulnerabilities in times of COVID-19

“…Such strategies helped them to cope with the stress and worries during the breakdown of physical ties with their homeland during the pandemic. Indeed, the pandemic has affected the mental health of people, specifically immigrants who have been found to be at an increased risk of psychological distress and reduced mental well-being both in Norway ( Harris and Sandal, 2020 ) and internationally ( Habtamu et al, 2021 ; Shen and Bartram, 2020 ; Devaraj & Patel, 2021 ).…”