HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Department of Epidemiology, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
BMC Psychol. 2023 Apr 13;11(1):110. doi: 10.1186/s40359-023-01145-y.
Quality of life (QOL) and mental health among marginalized populations, including people experiencing homelessness in Iran, are understudied. We assessed the QOL and mental health status as well as their associated factors among youth experiencing homelessness in Kerman, Iran.
We recruited 202 participants using a convenience sampling method from 11 locations, including six homeless shelters, three street outreach sites, and two drop-in service centers, from September to December 2017. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that included QOL, mental health, demographics, drug use, and sexual behaviors questions. Scores in each domain were indexed with a weight of 0-100. The higher score indicated a higher QOL and mental health status. Bivariable and multivariable linear regression models were performed to examine correlates of QOL and mental health.
The mean (SD) score of QOL and mental health were 73.1 (25.8) and 65.1 (22.3), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that youth experiencing homelessness who were aged 25-29 years old (β = -5.4; 95% CI: -10.51; -0.30), and lived on the streets (β = -12.1; 95% CI: -18.19; -6.07) had a lower mental health score. Moreover, those who had higher education (β = 5.4; 95% CI: 0.58; 10.38), had no history of carrying weapons (β = 12.8; 95% CI: 6.86; 18.76), and had a higher QOL score (β = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.31; 0.50) had a higher mental health score.
This study highlights that QOL and mental health among youth experiencing homelessness in Iran are concerning, particularly among those who were older, were less educated, were living on the street, and had a history of carrying a weapon. Community-based programs, including mental health care and affordable housing are needed to improve QOL and mental health among this population in Iran.
生活质量（QOL）和心理健康在边缘化人群中，包括伊朗无家可归者，研究不足。我们评估了伊朗克尔曼无家可归青年的 QOL 和心理健康状况及其相关因素。
我们于 2017 年 9 月至 12 月期间，采用便利抽样法从 11 个地点（包括 6 个无家可归者收容所、3 个街头外展点和 2 个中途服务中心）招募了 202 名参与者。使用标准化问卷收集数据，其中包括 QOL、心理健康、人口统计学、药物使用和性行为问题。每个域的分数均以 0-100 的权重索引。分数越高表示 QOL 和心理健康状况越高。进行单变量和多变量线性回归模型以检查 QOL 和心理健康的相关因素。
QOL 和心理健康的平均（SD）分数分别为 73.1（25.8）和 65.1（22.3）。多变量分析显示，年龄在 25-29 岁的无家可归青年（β=-5.4；95%CI：-10.51；-0.30）和居住在街头的青年（β=-12.1；95%CI：-18.19；-6.07）的心理健康评分较低。此外，那些接受过高等教育（β=5.4；95%CI：0.58；10.38）、没有携带武器史（β=12.8；95%CI：6.86；18.76）和 QOL 评分较高（β=0.41；95%CI：0.31；0.50）的人具有较高的心理健康评分。
这项研究强调，伊朗无家可归青年的 QOL 和心理健康状况令人担忧，特别是那些年龄较大、受教育程度较低、居住在街头且有携带武器史的青年。伊朗需要基于社区的计划，包括心理健康护理和经济适用房，以改善这一人群的 QOL 和心理健康。
