Determinants of common mental disorders among residents of Quiha town, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a case-control study

Background: Common mental disorder (anxiety and depression) are the most prevalent mental disorders in the world. The study aimed to identify the determinants of common mental disorders among residents of Quiha town, northern Ethiopia. Methods: : A community based unmatched case-control study was employed with a total of 297 study subjects (99 cases and 198 controls) in Quiha town. Common mental disorder was measured by the self-reported questionnaire (SRQ 20) scale. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine between the independent and dependent variables. Result: The study shows that participants who were Son/daughter (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI:0.14 - 98, P= 0.046) and being dependent (AOR = 6.50, 95% CI:1.17 - 36.20, P = 0.033), chronic illness (AOR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.10 - 5.80, P = 0.030), stressful life event (AOR = 2.50; 95% CI: 1.20 - 5.13, P = 0.012), moderate stress level (AOR = 5.92; 95% CI:2.85 - 12.27, P = 0.000 ) and high perceived stress level (AOR= 122.82; 95% CI: 114.83 - 1063.60, P = 0.000) were significant factors of common mental disorders. Conclusion: Factors like son/daughter, dependent, chronic illness, experiencing stressful life events, moderate and high perceived stress levels were significant factors of with common mental disorders.