1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Qatar Medical Journal
  4. Volume 2024, Issue 3
  5. Article
Volume 2024, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 0253-8253
  • EISSN: 2227-0426

Abstract

Background: Arab countries host 10% of all migrants globally. Migrant workers are known to have a high burden of physical and psychiatric morbidity. Most of the published literature on mental health among migrant workers is from non-Arab countries. The limited literature on migrant workers’ mental health in Arab countries is a critical research gap. It is pertinent to study well-defined migrant groups within well-defined host country conditions to yield pragmatic answers to inform service delivery.

Aims: The current study aims to complement existing data by characterizing psychiatric morbidity in a well-defined migrant group within a specifically defined context of migration.

Methods: Retrospective review of patient notes.

Results: All participants were men, and most of them were aged between 30 and 49 years. More than two-thirds presented with anxiety or depressive disorders. More than half had a past psychiatric history. Psychological distress was linked to stressors such as limited social support, living away from family, financial stressors, family-related stressors, and work-related stress. One-fourth of the participants reported stress related to the pandemic. Half of them reported physical health comorbidities. Two-thirds were not compliant with treatment plans, and one-fourth were lost to follow-up.

Conclusion: This is the first study to provide insight into the psychiatric morbidity of lower-skilled migrants presenting to outpatient psychiatry clinics in Qatar. The psychiatric morbidity of migrants is mainly centered around depressive and anxiety-related disorders. The most common challenges encountered in the management of patients include patient concordance with medication and loss to follow-up. Mitigation strategies are vital for ensuring the psychological well-being of migrant workers.

© 2024 Latoo, Wadoo, Iqbal, Khan, Amin, Ouanes, et al., Licensee HBKU Press.
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2024.29
2024-08-08
2025-01-15
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/qmj/2024/3/qmj.2024.29.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2024.29&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Popova N, Özel MH. ILO global estimates on international migrant workers: Results and methodology. Geneva:International Labour Office;2018.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Latoo J, Wadoo O, Iqbal Y, Chandrappa NS, Tulley I, Alabdulla M. Development of mental health services for lower-skilled migrant workers in Qatar. Asian J Psychiatry. 2021; 62:102709. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102709
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Mucci N, Traversini V, Giorgi G, Tommasi E, De Sio S, Arcangeli G. Migrant workers and psychological health: A systematic review. Sustainability. 2020; 12:(1):120.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Hasan SI, Yee A, Rinaldi A, Azham AA, Mohd Hairi F, Amer Nordin AS. Prevalence of common mental health issues among migrant workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2021; 16:(12):e0260221. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260221
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Hassan MHMO, Abdelhafez IHE, Ouanes S, Al-Janahi E, Zoghbi Y, Wadoo O. Mental health research in the Arab region in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review. Gen Psychiatry. 2022; 35:(2):e100590. doi: 10.1136/gpsych-2021-100590
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Wadoo O, Latoo J, Iqbal Y, Naeem M, Alabdulla M. Editorial: Mental health characteristics of migrant and local populations in the prevention and management of mental health disorders. Front Psychiatry. 2023; 14:1348239. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1348239
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Lindert J, Ehrenstein OS, Priebe S, Mielck A, Brähler E. Depression and anxiety in labor migrants and refugees—A systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2009; 69:(2):246–57. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.04.032
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Doki S, Sasahara S, Matsuzaki I. Stress of working abroad: A systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2018; 91:(7):767–84. doi: 10.1007/s00420-018-1333-4
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Al Madni OM, Kharoshah MA, Zaki MK, Ghaleb SS. Hanging deaths in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. J Forensic Legal Med. 2010; 17:(5):265–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2010.04.003
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Kronfol Z, Saleh M, Al-Ghafry M. Mental health issues among migrant workers in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Literature review and case illustrations. Asian J Psychiatry. 2014; 10:109–13. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2014.03.003
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Zahid MA, Alsuwaidan M. The mental health needs of immigrant workers in Gulf countries. Int Psychiatry. 2014; 11:(4):79–81.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Bhugra D, Jones P. Migration and mental illness. Adv Psychiatric Treat. 2001; 7:(3):216–22.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Bhugra D, Minas IH. Mental health and global movement of people. Lancet. 2007; 370:(9593):1109–11. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61249-5
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Kirmayer L J, Gomez-Carrillo A, Veissière S. Culture and depression in global mental health: An ecosocial approach to the phenomenology of psychiatric disorders. Soc Sci Med. 2017; 183:163–8.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Cantor-Graae E, Selten JP. Schizophrenia and migration: A meta-analysis and review. Am J Psychiatry. 2005; 162:(1):12–24. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.1.12
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Carta MG, Bernal M, Hardoy MC, Haro-Abad JM. Migration and mental health in Europe (the state of the mental health in Europe working group: Appendix 1). Clin Pract Epidemiol Mental Health. 2005; 1:(1):1–6. doi: 10.1186/1745-0179-1-13
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Swinnen SG, Selten JP. Mood disorders and migration: Meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2007; 190:(1):6–10. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.020800
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Lindert J, von Ehrenstein OS, Priebe S, Mielck A, Brähler E. Depression and anxiety in labor migrants and refugees—A systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2009; 69:(2):246–57. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.04.032
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Saeed E, Wadoo O, Ouanes S. Community mental health services. In: Haque A, Gilstrap LL, Ghuloum S, editors. Mental health in Qatar: Challenges and prospects. Newcastle upon Tyne:Cambridge Scholars Publishing;2020. p. 364–86.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Wadoo O, Ahmed MAS, Reagu S, Al Abdulla SA, Al Abdulla MAYA. Primary care mental health services in Qatar. BJPsych Int. 2021; 18:(1):15–8. doi: 10.1192/bji.2020.45
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Karim MA, Wadoo O, Reagu SM, Amro R, Al Abdulla M. Telepsychiatry in the Arabian Gulf region—Implications beyond the covid-19 pandemic. Asian J Psychiatry. 2020; 54:102397. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102397
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Latoo J, Haddad PM, Mistry M, Wadoo O, Islam SMS, Jan F, Iqbal Y, Howseman T, Riley D, Alabdulla M. The COVID-19 pandemic: An opportunity to make mental health a higher public health priority. BJPsych Open. 2021; 7:(5):e172. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2021.1002
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Wadoo O, Latoo J, Reagu SM, Amro RAA, Masoodi NA, Alabdulla M. Mental health during COVID-19 in Qatar. Gen Psychiatry. 2020; 33:(6). doi: 10.1136/gpsych-2020-100313
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Wadoo O, Ouanes S, Ahmed MAS, Saeid ISA, AlAbdulla SA, AlAbdulla M. Improving referrals from primary care to secondary mental health services through an educational intervention: Experience from Qatar. BJPsych Int. 2021; 18:(3):70–4. doi: 10.1192/bji.2021.5
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Khan YS, Wadoo O, Ahmed MS, Hassan M, Chandra P, Al Abdulla M. Transitional care initiative within mental health services in Qatar: Description and evaluation of an innovative care model. Psychiatr Danub. 2022; 34:(1):84–8. doi: 10.24869/psyd.2022.84
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Althani SHAQF, Alabdulla M, Latoo J, Wadoo O. Mental health legislation in the Arab countries. Asian J Psychiatry. 2023; 82:103478. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103478
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Wadoo O, Latoo J, Iqbal Y, Naeem M, Alabdulla M. Editorial: Mental health characteristics of migrant and local populations in the prevention and management of mental health disorders. Front Psychiatry. 2023; 14:1348239. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1348239
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Wadoo O, Althani SHAQF, Latoo J, Alabdulla M. Policy and legislation for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in Qatar. Asian J Psychiatry. 2023; 79:103368. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103368
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Meyer SR, Decker MR, Tol WA, Abshir N, Mar AA, Robinson WC. Workplace and security stressors and mental health among migrant workers on the Thailand-Myanmar border. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2016; 51:(5):713–23. doi: 10.1007/s00127-015-1162-7
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Zahid MA, Fido AA, Alowaish R, Mohsen MA, Razik MA. Psychiatric morbidity among housemaids in Kuwait: The precipitating factors. Ann Saudi Med. 2002; 22:(5–6):384–7. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2002.384
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Zahid MA, Fido AA, Razik MA, Mohsen MA, El-Sayed AA. Psychiatric morbidity among housemaids in Kuwait. Med Princ Pract. 2004; 13:(5):249–54. doi: 10.1159/000079522
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Al-Maskari F, Shah SM, Al-Sharhan R, Al-Haj E, Al-Kaabi K, Khonji D, et al.. Prevalence of depression and suicidal behaviors among male migrant workers in United Arab Emirates. J Immigr Minor Health. 2011; 13:(6):1027–32. doi: 10.1007/s10903-011-9470-9
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Nadim W, AlOtaibi A, Al-Mohaimeed A, Ewid M, Sarhandi M, Saquib J, et al.. Depression among migrant workers in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. J Affect Disord. 2016; 206:103–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.07.037
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Khaled SM, Gray R. Depression in migrant workers and nationals of Qatar: An exploratory cross-cultural study. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2019; 65:(5):354–67. doi: 10.1177/0020764019850589
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Zahreddine N, Hady RT, Chammai R, Kazour F, Hachem D, Richa S. Psychiatric morbidity, phenomenology and management in hospitalized female foreign domestic workers in Lebanon. Community Ment Health J. 2014Jul; 50:(5):619–28. doi: 10.1007/s10597-013-9682-7
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Kumar K, Mehra A, Sahoo S, Nehra R, Grover S. The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the migrant workers: A cross-sectional survey. Asian J Psychiatry. 2020; 53:102252. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102252
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Saw YE, Tan EY, Buvanaswari P, Doshi K, Liu JC. Mental health of international migrant workers amidst large-scale dormitory outbreaks of COVID-19: A population survey in Singapore. J Migr Health. 2021; 4:100062. doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100062
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Choudhari R. COVID 19 pandemic: Mental health challenges of internal migrant workers of India. Asian J Psychiatry. 2020; 54:102254. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102254
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Clarke DM, Currie KC. Depression, anxiety and their relationship with chronic diseases: A review of the epidemiology, risk and treatment evidence. Med J Aust. 2009; 190:(7):S54. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02471.x
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Tarricone I, Atti AR, Salvatori F, Braca M, Ferrari S, Malmusi D, et al.. Psychotic symptoms and general health in a socially disadvantaged migrant community in Bologna. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2009; 55:(3):203–13. doi: 10.1177/0020764008093445
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Lee W, Neo A, Tan S, Cook AR, Wong ML, Tan J, et al.. Health-seeking behaviour of male foreign migrant workers living in a dormitory in Singapore. BMC Health Serv Res. 2014; 14:300. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-300
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Asampong E, Dwuma-Badu K, Stephens J, Srigboh R, Neitzel R, Basu N, et al.. Health seeking behaviours among electronic waste workers in Ghana. BMC Public Health. 2015; 15:(1):1–9. doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-2376-z
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Vassar M, Holzmann M. The retrospective chart review: Important methodological considerations. J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2013; 10:12. doi: 10.3352/jeehp.2013.10.12
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2024.29
Loading
A national study of psychiatry outpatient visits by lower-skilled male migrant workers in Qatar
Qatar Medical Journal 2024, 29 (2024); https://doi.org/10.5339/qmj.2024.29
/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2024.29
/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2024.29
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): Arab countries, lower-skilled migrants and Psychiatric morbidity

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error