Psychiatric Morbidity Among Youth Patients at Nakuru Level 6 Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Among the most rampant leading causes of global burden of disease is psychiatric disorders which are very common, with the approximation of roughly 12% of a globally disease burden. There is a decreased life span of 10-15 years in persons with psychiatric illnesses in contrast with the public population; hence interventions on first onset may improve some end results. In Kenya, there is limited data on psychiatric morbidity among youths, however, youths have been noted to present with different psychiatric illnesses from depression, anxiety disorders, to PTSD/post-traumatic stress disorder, hence the importance of this study. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the psychiatric morbidity among youth patients at the Nakuru Level 6 Hospital and examine the associated socio-demographic variables. Methods: This study implemented a descriptive cross sectional method, whereby 385 outpatient youths seen at Nakuru level 6 hospital of age bracket 18-35 years were targeted for the study. Informed consent and confidentiality was sought at the beginning of the study. Simple random sampling technique was applied in attaining the 385 sample size. The version seven of MINI Instrument Neuropsychiatric was incorporated in the collection of data. Data was analyzed using version 23 of the SPSS. Setting: The study took place at Nakuru level 6 hospital. Youth patients of age bracket 18-35 who were seen at the hospital during the study period were targeted in data collection. Data analysis: Assembled Data was analyzed using version 23 of SPSS software and findings were presented in descriptive narrative, charts, graphs and tables. Results: Marital status and employment status were noted to have a statistically inferable association with psychiatric morbidity. The singles (P=0.024) had an Odds Ratio/OR (4.771) xiv higher chance of having a psychiatric morbidity as compared the married. On the other hand, those who were widow/widower (P=0.016) had an OR (5.650) times of developing a psychiatric illness in contrast with the married. Conclusion: In Nakuru level 6 hospital, the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among youth outpatients of the age bracket 18-35 years stands at 46.5%. 26.8% of this met the criteria for only one psychiatric disorder. Marital status and employment status were noted to have a statistically inferable link with psychiatric morbidity