Research Article, Int J Ment Health Psychiatry Vol: 3 Issue: 1
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Risk among Iraqi Displaced Children
Riyadh KL1*, Saba D2, Maha A Al-Nuaimi3 and Nuha H4 | |
1Munstansiriya University, College of Medicine, Yarmouk, 612, 1, 10/1 Baghdad, Iraq | |
2College of Health and Medical Technologies, Baghdad, Iraq | |
3College of Medicine, Ninawa University, Iraq | |
4College of Medicine, Mosul University, Iraq | |
Corresponding author : Riyadh K Lafta Al Munstansiriya University, College of Medicine, Yarmouk, 612, 1, 10/1, Baghdad, Iraq Tel: +9647901769695 E-mail: riyadhlafta@yahoo.com |
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Received: February 08, 2017 Accepted: March 09, 2017 Published: March 14, 2017 | |
Citation: Riyadh KL, Saba D, Al-Nuaimi MA, Nuha H (2017) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Risk among Iraqi Displaced Children. Int J Ment Health Psychiatry 3:1. doi: 10.4172/2471-4372.1000139 |
Abstract
Millions of people around the world had been forced to flee their homes due to violence. High rates of mental problem have been reported among those populations. Iraq is an exemplar of the mental health needs of children in conflict-affected countries. A multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted targeting primary school students in the main three Iraqi governorates (Baghdad, Duhok, and Erbil) to which most of the displaced families fled. A standard questionnaire form adapted from the 10-item Trauma Screening Questionnaire -TSQ/ child version was used. The prevalence of PTSD was estimated to be 83.3%, which seems to increase with age, more in females, and was associated with large family size and frequent displacements. There was a significant association between PTSD and the occurrence of violent events in the family (death, injury or arrest) during or after displacement. These findings call the attention for an urgent humanitarian interference to help the traumatized Iraqi children.