Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among Displaced People in Iraq

Abstract

Background: Iraq witnessed numbers of wars and invasions since 2003. The last worst trigger is the invasion of the criminal (ISIS) gangs in the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. These problems caused millions of displacement and migrants of the Iraqi people. People who experienced the migration and displacement are considered to be diagnosed with a difference of mental disorders because of losing their homes, belongings, habitual residence, and their normal life. In addition to what they have experienced through their displacement, several studies reported that posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD) is the most common disorder among displaced people.Objective: the present study aims to estimate the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder among internal displaced people in Iraq. Methodology: This study was based on a cross-sectional design using a structured questionnaire conducted in 97 of displaced people in the Al-Jada's camp, which located in the Qayarah Township, Nenavah governorate, Iraq. The period of the present study was from 1st December 2016 to the 30th of May 2017. A Standard Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) was used to analyze the collected data. The results: the study resulted that 59.8 % of the participants were aged between (18 - 29) years old. 57.7% of the participants were male. 60.8 % of them were displaced from Salahudeen governorate. The results illustrated that 67.0 % have a PTSD. Finally, the findings of indicates a high significance at (. 003) in independent t-test between the gender and PTSD. While the one-way ANOVA analysis indicates no significant impact between PTSD and (age, marital status, educational level, residential Governorate, displaced Period, and mental disorders history) on PTSD which indicate sequentially (.292, .762, .370, .370, .110, .448, .610). Conclusion: the study concludes that there were no actual mental and psychological support and treatment in the camp although that most of the displaced people have diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder due to the displacement.Recommendations: the research extremely recommends that psychiatric nurses and physicians must be involved in the primary health care centersin the camps of displaced peopleKeywords: displaced people, post-traumatic stress disorder, internal displacement.