Mass Psychogenic Illness in Haraza Elementary School, Erop District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Investigation to the Nature of an Episode

Joint Authors

Aregay, Abraham Desta
Fenta, Kiros Ajemu
Woldegebriel, Ataklti Gebretsadik
Woldearegay, Tewolde Wubayehu
Berhe, Asfawosen Aregay
Mamo Bezabih, Nega
Meles, Yrgalem
Mehari, Goytom
Jorjo, Micheale
Gebru, Tesfay Subagadis
Tesfadingle, Abenezer

Source

Psychiatry Journal

Issue

Vol. 2020, Issue 2020 (31 Dec. 2020), pp.1-7, 7 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2020-07-24

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

7

Main Subjects

Psychology
Medicine
Psychiatry

Abstract EN

Background.

Mass psychogenic illness has been documented for more than 600 years in a variety of cultural, ethnic, and religious settings.

We aimed to assess the nature and characteristics of mass psychogenic illness and to evaluate community awareness and perception about the treatment they practiced in Haraza Elementary School, Erop district, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Methods.

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Haraza Elementary School from January to February, 2020.

Students who were victims of an episode were subjects of the study.

A total of twelve students were investigated using a semistructured questionnaire for a quantitative study.

Seven key informant interviews were conducted using a guiding questionnaire.

Quantitative data was analyzed using XL sheet while qualitative data were analyzed manually.

Results.

The mean age of study participants was 14 years (SD±1.3).

The majority (87%) were teenage female students.

The incident was an unspecified disease with psychiatric disorder, migraine, and syncope with no plausible organic causes.

An important feature of migraine and syncope was their comorbidity with mass psychogenic illness.

The community perceived that evil devil force and blaming the being as an evil eye were common causes of the occurrence of an episode.

Conclusion.

Lack of empirical knowledge and awareness about its management and prevention among community members and health professionals resulted exaggerated rumor that would perceive as newly emerging disease that affected school activities.

Integrating MPI in PHEM package at health facility level, advocacy workshops for media, and other relevant stakeholders will minimize its impact for the future.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Fenta, Kiros Ajemu& Woldearegay, Tewolde Wubayehu& Mamo Bezabih, Nega& Meles, Yrgalem& Mehari, Goytom& Aregay, Abraham Desta…[et al.]. 2020. Mass Psychogenic Illness in Haraza Elementary School, Erop District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Investigation to the Nature of an Episode. Psychiatry Journal،Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1207103

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Fenta, Kiros Ajemu…[et al.]. Mass Psychogenic Illness in Haraza Elementary School, Erop District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Investigation to the Nature of an Episode. Psychiatry Journal No. 2020 (2020), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1207103

American Medical Association (AMA)

Fenta, Kiros Ajemu& Woldearegay, Tewolde Wubayehu& Mamo Bezabih, Nega& Meles, Yrgalem& Mehari, Goytom& Aregay, Abraham Desta…[et al.]. Mass Psychogenic Illness in Haraza Elementary School, Erop District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Investigation to the Nature of an Episode. Psychiatry Journal. 2020. Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1207103

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-1207103