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Psychiatric Morbidity Among Housemaids in Kuwait III: Vulnerability Factors

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  • Muhammad Ajmal Zahid
  • Abdullahi Fido
  • Rashed Alowaish
  • Mohamed Abd El-Motaal Mohsen
  • Mohammed Abdul Razik

Abstract

Background: Housemaids are a relatively homogenous immigrant subgroup in terms of their gender; ethnic origin; and socio-cultural, educational and occupational background. Psychiatric morbidity among housemaids is two to five times higher than the native female population. Aims: To determine the possible pre-immigration risk factors for prospective psychiatric breakdown among the housemaids. Methods: The sample consisted of all the housemaids ( N = 197) hospitalised during the two-year study period. The controls comprised all the newly arrived housemaids ( N = 502). The measures obtained included demographic characteristics and previous history of physical illness, psychiatric illness, hospitalisation and family history of psychiatric disorder. Results: More than a quarter of the hospitalised group broke down within one month of their arrival. The hospitalised group had a significant excess of Sri Lankan housemaids; non-Muslims; those with less than four years of education and those with a previous history of physical illness, psychiatric illness or hospitalisation. Conclusions: A number of potential risk factors results in premature repatriation of housemaids on mental health grounds. Preventive measures involving recruitment procedures and pre-departure orientation courses are needed to minimise the expatriate failure among the housemaids.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Ajmal Zahid & Abdullahi Fido & Rashed Alowaish & Mohamed Abd El-Motaal Mohsen & Mohammed Abdul Razik, 2003. "Psychiatric Morbidity Among Housemaids in Kuwait III: Vulnerability Factors," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 49(2), pages 87-96, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:49:y:2003:i:2:p:87-96
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764003049002002
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    1. Libuse Tyhurst, 1982. "Coping With Refugees a Canadian Experience: 1948 - 1981," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 28(2), pages 105-109, June.
    2. Van der Stuyft, Patrick & De Muynck, Aimé & Schillemans, Leo & Timmerman, Chris, 1989. "Migration, acculturation and utilization of primary health care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 53-60, January.
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    1. Birke Anbesse & Charlotte Hanlon & Atalay Alem & Samuel Packer & Rob Whitley, 2009. "Migration and Mental Health: a Study of Low-Income Ethiopian Women Working in Middle Eastern Countries," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(6), pages 557-568, November.
    2. Phyllis W.L. Lau & Judy G.Y. Cheng & Dickson L.Y. Chow & G.S. Ungvari & C.M. Leung, 2009. "Acute Psychiatric Disorders in Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong: a Pilot Study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(6), pages 569-576, November.

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