Factors Associated with Mental Health Service Utilization Among Ethiopian Immigrants and Refugees

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-4-2020

Publication Title

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

Volume

22

First page number:

965

Last page number:

972

Abstract

This study assesses factors associated with mental health service utilization by Ethiopian immigrants and refugees in the U.S. A cross-sectional survey, based on Anderson and Newman’s Framework of Health Services, which examines facilitators and barriers of service utilization, was implemented to gather data from 297 Ethiopian immigrants and refugees in the U.S. from February to March 2018. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression were calculated. Approximately 13.3% of participants sought mental health services from healthcare professionals; while 17.3% utilized non-healthcare professionals for mental health problems. A mental health need (depressive symptoms) was identifed. A model containing predictors of mental health service use was statistically signifcant, with gender, marital status, and employment (full-time or part-time) as the strongest predictors. The fndings suggest a need for the development of culturally appropriate interventions and implementation of policies to minimize barriers to mental health services among this under-researched population.

Keywords

Mental Health; Health Care Utilization; Immigrants; Depression

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health

Language

English

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