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.