Assessment of Psychological Distress and Associated Factors among Hospitalized Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic at Selected Hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at three selected hospitals in southwest Ethiopia Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Tepi General Hospital, and Gebre Tsadik Shawo General Hospital, southwest Ethiopia from May 10 to August 10, 2020 Sample size was computed using a single-proportion formula, and systematic sampling was employed to recruit study participants Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire Psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, which has been validated in Ethiopia SPSS 21 0 was used for analysis Descriptive statistics were calculated to characteristize the study population Predictors of psychological distress were identified by logistic regression analyses Results: Among the 337 study participants enrolled, about 41% were aged 25-34 years The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 57 9% (95% CI 52 8%-63 5%) Being female (AOR 3 69, 95% CI 2 08-6 55), having high (AOR 5 45, 95% CI 2 35-12 66) and medium perceived life threat (AOR 3 37, 95% CI 1 75-6 48), poor (AOR 3 97, 95% CI 1 70-9 29) and moderate social support (AOR 3 17, 95% CI 1 36-7 41), and current khat use (AOR 4 16, 95% CI 1 67-10 35) were statistically associated with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic at P value <0 05 Conclusion: The prevalence of psychological distress was high among hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic The study findings highlight the need to develop psychological support strategies to improve mental health and psychological resilience