Depression and anxiety among migrant workers with diabetes in Qatar: findings from the first national study

Background Diabetes and mental health problems are closely linked, yet evidence examining this relationship among international labour migrants in the Gulf region is limited. Labour migrants are exposed to distinct occupational and psychosocial stressors that may increase vulnerability to depression and anxiety, particularly in the context of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Aims This study examined the prevalence and correlates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among male migrant workers with type 2 diabetes attending out-patient services in Qatar. Method A clinic-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult male migrants receiving care at endocrinology out-patient clinics in Qatar. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected using structured questionnaires and electronic medical records. Associations between clinical and sociodemographic factors and mental health outcomes were examined using chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses. Results A total of 339 participants were included, predominantly of South Asian origin. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were identified in 21.3% of participants, with 14.8% reporting clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Depression severity was significantly associated with diabetes treatment modality and past psychiatric history. Anxiety severity was significantly associated with ethnicity and past psychiatric history. In multivariate analysis, past psychiatric illness independently predicted anxiety symptoms (odds ratio 6.24, 95% CI: 1.91–20.38, p = 0.002). No significant associations were observed between mental health outcomes and glycaemic control or duration of diabetes. Conclusions Lower-skilled male labour migrants with diabetes experience a substantial burden of depressive and anxiety symptoms, highlighting a clinically important but often overlooked dimension of diabetes care in this population. Past psychiatric illness and more complex diabetes treatment regimens were associated with poorer mental health outcomes. These findings support the need for integration of mental health assessment and targeted support within routine diabetes services for migrant worker populations.