Presentation Information
[P-23-03]Identification and Association of Sociodemographic Profile and Clinical Characteristics of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) referred by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in the Outpatient Section of National Center for Mental Health from January 2020 to December 2022
*Francisco IV Gabriel Bolinao, Robert Roy Mapa (National Center for Mental Health(Philippines))
Keywords:
OFWs,OWWA,Sociodemographic profile,Clinical characteristics,Mental health
Introduction: The mental health of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), one of the highest recipient of migrant worker remittances in the world, represents a critical area of concern, warranting in-depth investigation due to the unique stressors and challenges inherent in their work and living conditions abroad.
Objective: This study aims to identify risk factors and determinants for mental disorders among OFWs, given their significant contribution to the Philippine economy and their vulnerability to mental health issues.
Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, quantitative study was conducted to identify and measure an association of the sociodemographic profile and clinical characteristics of 70 OFWs referred by the OWWA to the adult outpatient section of the National Center Mental Health (NCMH) from January 2020 to December 2022 using the Chi Square Test (p < 0.005).
Results: Majority of the OFWs referred to the center belong to the working age group, females, Roman Catholics, from the National Capital Region, reached secondary education, and worked as domestic helpers in Middle Eastern countries. Most had a diagnosis belonging to schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar affective disorders. The findings revealed that civil status of OFWs exhibited an association to medical illnesses, while those from certain countries faced greater risks for both physical and mental health concerns, likely due to varying labor conditions and occupational hazards. Additionally, the strong association between religion and psychiatric diagnoses suggests that cultural and spiritual factors influence the perception and expression of mental health conditions, potentially impacting help-seeking behaviors.
Conclusion: The predominance of severe psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar affective disorder with psychotic symptoms, underscores the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions for repatriated OFWs. Programs, policies and monitoring systems for repatriated OFWs should be strengthened and focused on the specific sociodemographic profile and clinical characteristics identified.
Objective: This study aims to identify risk factors and determinants for mental disorders among OFWs, given their significant contribution to the Philippine economy and their vulnerability to mental health issues.
Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, quantitative study was conducted to identify and measure an association of the sociodemographic profile and clinical characteristics of 70 OFWs referred by the OWWA to the adult outpatient section of the National Center Mental Health (NCMH) from January 2020 to December 2022 using the Chi Square Test (p < 0.005).
Results: Majority of the OFWs referred to the center belong to the working age group, females, Roman Catholics, from the National Capital Region, reached secondary education, and worked as domestic helpers in Middle Eastern countries. Most had a diagnosis belonging to schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar affective disorders. The findings revealed that civil status of OFWs exhibited an association to medical illnesses, while those from certain countries faced greater risks for both physical and mental health concerns, likely due to varying labor conditions and occupational hazards. Additionally, the strong association between religion and psychiatric diagnoses suggests that cultural and spiritual factors influence the perception and expression of mental health conditions, potentially impacting help-seeking behaviors.
Conclusion: The predominance of severe psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar affective disorder with psychotic symptoms, underscores the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions for repatriated OFWs. Programs, policies and monitoring systems for repatriated OFWs should be strengthened and focused on the specific sociodemographic profile and clinical characteristics identified.