[Study on the general mental health status and influencing factors of Chinese Medical Team members]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the mental health status of the Chinese Medical Team (CMT) members and its influencing factors. Methods: A total of 1 015 members of the CMT were recruited and surveyed by using a self-administered questionnaire and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) from May 10 to June 10, 2018. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for mental health problems. Results: A total of 808 subjects completed the questionnaire and an estimated 25.9% of them were suspected to have mental health problems (GHQ-12≥3). Logistic model analysis indicated that family life (OR=1.928, 95%CI: 1.162-3.197), domestic work status (OR=2.069, 95%CI: 1.210-3.538), father's health status (OR=1.703, 95%CI: 1.060-2.736), disease symptoms (OR=2.087, 95%CI: 1.363-3.194), captain (OR=1.996, 95%CI: 1.128-3.532), cultural differences (OR=2.439, 95%CI: 1.621-3.671) were the risk factors for mental health. Age (OR=0.736, 95%CI: 0.571-0.949), leisure activities (OR=0.654, 95%CI: 0.490-0.872) were the protective factors. Drinking habits (OR=7.439, 95%CI: 1.290- 42.900), loneliness (OR=4.094, 95%CI: 2.438-6.875), and respect from the hospital (OR=0.783, 95%CI: 0.610-1.004) were relative to mental health problems. Conclusion: CMT members have certain mental health problems, especially young members and captains. Therefore, interventions should be implemented to improve the mental health of CMT members and to promote the development of foreign aid work.

Keywords: Chinese Medical Team; GHQ-12; Influential factors; Mental health.