A national study of psychiatry outpatient visits by lower-skilled male migrant workers in Qatar

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.