Psychiatric morbidity among public primary school teachers at Mogotio division, in Koibatek district
Abstract
Introduction: -
Every occupation has its own stressors which cause stress leading to psychiatric
morbidity. Teachers have been known to be under a lot of stress related to work
characteristics, socio-demographic characteristics, professional variables and
personality related variables which may cause psychiatric morbidity.
Aims: -
This study was designed to determine the prevalence of the common Psychiatric
morbidity and identify factors associated with these disorders among primary
school-teachers.
Methods: -
All teachers from Mogotio Division, in Koibatek District were, studied with a self
administered questionnaire to determine psychiatric morbidity. The questionnaire
comprised items used to measure psychiatric morbidity and cover work-related
variables, social-demographic characteristics of the teachers and personality related
variables.
Results: -
It was found that the life time prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among primary
school teacher is 45.5%, while current prevalence is 41.4%. The psychiatric
disorders were found to be co-morbid with each other and Personality Disorders.
Discussion: -
Primary school teachers were shown to suffer psychiatric morbidity. Religious
affiliation, decision making, support from supervisors, worry about transfer and
the number children/dependants and especially being female were factors
associated with psychiatric morbidity among primary school teachers.
Conclusion: -
This study found primary teachers to have high prevalence of psychiatric
morbidity which is related in part to socio-demographic factors and work related
characteristics. The study also found high prevalence of personality disorders
which are related to psychiatric disorders (Axis I diagnosis ).
Recommendation: -
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should employ psychologists
in the Districts, or Zones who can easily identify, treat, and refer such teachers
for appropriate mental health treatment.
Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi