Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mental health conditions among young Ethiopians present a pressing public health concern, posing risks to their well-being and productivity. However, there is a limited understanding of the prevalence and associated factors among young people who use substances in the West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. This study investigated the prevalence of mental health conditions and associated factors among young people who use substances in the West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 427 randomly selected young people aged 14-29 years in the West Arsi Zone of the Oromia region, Ethiopia from May 18, 2023, to September 22, 2023. Data were collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associations between the outcome and independent variables. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and Madda Walabu University, Ethiopia. RESULTS: A total of 424 participants were included in the analysis, giving a response rate of 99.3%. The prevalence of mental health conditions was 47% (95% CI: 40.1%, 54.2%) among substance users and 26% (95% CI: 20.3%, 32.2%) among nonusers. In the final model, among substance users, participant sex, education level, family history of substance use, and family history of mental illness remained significantly associated with mental health conditions. Among nonusers, participant sex, perceived social support, and family history of mental illness remained significant predictors of mental health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the participants who used substances reported experiencing mental health conditions. This result highlights the need for appropriately focused interventions to address the growing challenges of mental health conditions and substance use among young people in Ethiopia.