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Abstract Background Psychological distress is becoming more prominent among employees in various workplaces, and domestic work may not be an exception. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among domestic workers in Rwanda. Methods This cross-sectional study captured data from 870 domestic workers in Kigali City, Rwanda. Psychological distress was measured using questions from the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Binary Logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain the factors associated with psychological distress. Results The prevalence of psychological distress was 50.1%. The likelihood of having psychological distress was higher among females, those using substances of abuse, those having over four dependents in the household, and those having worked as domestic workers longer. Conclusion Half of the domestic workers in Kigali-Rwanda experience distress. To mitigate this burden, awareness of psychological distress among domestic workers and improvement of services to mitigate psychological distress should be increased. These services should particularly target those who are female, with more dependents, who have worked longer in the profession, and who use substances of addiction.

Abstract Background Due to urbanization and changes in family structure, the need for domestic workers has surged in many developing countries, including Rwanda. While being employed as a domestic worker presents financial benefits to many of them and their dependents, it also comes with risks and difficulties that might harm the domestic worker's mental health. Aim This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal behaviors (i.e., suicidal ideations, plans, and attempt(s)) among domestic workers in Rwanda. Method In this cross-sectional study, data was captured from 884 domestic workers in Kigali, Rwanda. Suicidal ideation was measured using questions from the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), while suicide attempts and plans were measured using questions adopted from previous studies in the region. The methods used/plan to attempt suicide were also captured from individuals with a recent history of suicide plan/attempt(s). Three separate regression models were employed to ascertain the factors associated with suicidal behaviors. Results The prevalence of past-year suicidal behaviors was 32.5% for suicidal ideations, 9.5% for suicide plans, and 7.8% for suicidal attempts. Being female and having a chronic medical illness were linked to a higher risk of participating in any form of suicidal behavior. Suicidal ideations were less likely to occur among those who attained secondary education. However, more years of working as a domestic worker were associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal ideations. Having more than five dependents at work increased the likelihood of experiencing suicidal plans or attempts among domestic workers. For those who attempted suicide, overdosing with medications/drugs was the most common method of attempting. Conclusion Domestic workers have prevalent suicide behaviors, especially among females and those with a chronic medical illness, more years of work experience, and those with many household members at work. Based on the present study, for domestic workers at risk, there is a critical need for focused mental health interventions and support networks in various sectors of the domestic labor force.