LENGTH OF STAY OF PSYCHIATRIC ADMISSIONS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN REFERRAL HOSPITALS OF EASTERN ETHIOPIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

The length of stay in psychiatric admissions significantly impacts patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization, especially in the context of deinstitutionalized care and the shift toward community-based treatment. Determining length psychiatric admissions and identifying factors that significantly associated is crucial for optimizing treatment and improving care efficiency. However, no published data exists on the length of stay and associated factors in psychiatric admissions in the studied area.This study aimed to assess the length of stay and its associated factors in psychiatric admissions at referral hospitals in eastern Ethiopia from June 28, 2017, to June 27, 2023, with data collection taking place from March 1 to April 20, 2024.A seven-year retrospective chart review was conducted at referral hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. Data was collected using the Kobo collect tool, and analysis was performed using STATA version 14. Linear regression with forward selection methods was used to identify factors significatly associated with the length of stay, with associations determined at a p-value <0.05. Results: The mean length of stay was 20 days (SD + 12.33). Factors positively associated with longer stays included: being homeless (β = 0.60), being divorced (β = 0.20), long duration of illness (β = 0.05), treatment non-adherence (β = 0.215), having comorbid medical illness (β = 0.24), a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum or psychotic disorders (β = 0.228), and multiple episodes of mental illness (β = 0.18). Being female was negatively associated with longer stays (β = -0.11). Conclusions: Longer hospital stays were associated with marital status, living conditions, treatment adherence, illness duration, number of episodes, comorbidities, and clinical diagnosis. Being female was associated with shorter stays. The study suggests that interventions targeting factors contributing to prolonged hospitalizations could improve psychiatric care and reduce length of stay.