Non-psychiatric help-seeking and associated factors among patients attending mental health services at Dilla University Referral Hospi tal, Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia Region, Ethiopia, 2023

Background: Mental health disorders are a significant public health concern globally, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries. Ethiopia, like many developing nations, faces challenges in providing adequate mental healthcare services. Previous studies have highlighted the underutilization of psychiatric care and a preference for non-psychiatric treatment options among individuals with mental health issues in the country. Understanding the factors associated with non-psychiatric help-seeking is crucial for developing effective interventions to improve mental health outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of non-psychiatric help seeking and its associated factors among patients attending mental health services at Dilla University Referral Hospital, Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia Region, in 2023. Method: The study was conducted at Dilla University Referral Hospital from July to October 2023, using an institutional-based cross-sectional design. A sys tematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit a sample of 423 participants. Data were collected using various tools, including questionnaires and interviews, to assess non-psychiatric treatment-seeking behaviors, social support, mental health literacy, and perceived stigma. Quantitative data were gathered using the Epi-Collect smartphone application and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with routes to psychiatric care. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result: A substantial majority (92.7%) of participants initially sought non psychiatric care for mental health issues. Factors associated with non-psychiatric treatment-seeking included younger age (AOR=4.28, 95% CI=2.178-10.635), fe male sex (AOR=2.30, 95% CI=1.767-3.742), lower education (AOR=3.20, 95% CI=1.423-9.164), specific diagnoses (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), poor social support (AOR=4.90, 95% CI=1.562-18.024), low mental health literacy (AOR=3.53, 95% CI=2.723-5.677), low income (AOR=3.01, 95% CI=1.602-6.934), limited awareness of psychiatric services (AOR=2.00, 95% CI=1.239-3.618), high perceived stigma (AOR=3.00, 95% CI=2.223-4.443), and residing more than 5 km from a health facility (AOR=2.16, 95% CI=1.562-3.621). Conclusion: This study highlights the substantial reliance on non-psychiatric care for mental health issues among individuals seeking treatment. Factors such as age, gender, education, diagnosis, social support, mental health literacy, income, awareness of psychiatric services, perceived stigma, and geographical accessibility significantly influenced help-seeking behaviors. Understanding these determinants is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve access to and utilization of appropriate mental healthcare services.