Background: The post-traumatic stress disruption checklist (PCL) is a reliable self-assessment measure for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recently, the PCL has been updated based on the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the psychometric properties and diagnostic capability of the PCL as a screening tool in an earthquake-stricken population in Kermanshah, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 injured earthquake victims in Sales and Javanrud counties. The subjects were selected via purposive sampling. The PCL was translated into Kurdish (Surani), and trained interviewers run the translated version for 200 individuals manifesting the symptoms of post-earthquake stress in the earthquake-stricken cities of Javanrud and Sales located in Kermanshah province. After two weeks, 100 participants were randomly selected, and the questionnaire was completed again. Results: The internal consistency of the PCL (α = 85%) was indicative of the validity of the checklist. The Youden’s index with the cutoff point of 23 was considered optimal for the PCL tool. The diagnostic values of sensitivity and specificity were estimated at 0.82 and 0.81, respectively (P < 0.001). In addition, the test-retest results were equal after two weeks (α = 87%), indicating the high reliability of the checklist. Conclusions: According to the results, the PCL is a sensitive and accurate tool for assessing the status of PTSD in disaster victims and accidents and could be used in the screening of PTSD in the health monitoring programs for these victims.

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an old practice associated with many sociocultural factors. Objectives: The purpose of this survey is to highlight the relationship between female genital mutilation and honor-based violence as a social issue. Methods: The study was based on the hypothesis that these two variables would be postively correlated. One hundred women from a city in Javanrud County participated in this study by completing a questionnaire on the link between honor-based violence and female genital mutilation. The statistical population of this study included all women presenting their case to the Javanrud court in 2017. Among them, 75 women were selected as a sample population using the purposeful sampling method. Results: The results showed a significant relationship between honor culture and female genital mutilation. The outcome of this research can be used to educate men to reduce honor-based violence and female genital mutilation. Conclusions: This study is important to psychology research because as female genital mutilation rates increase, it becomes crucial to understand what social factors impact its increase.

Background: Because of the dramatic rise in mental disorders after Kermanshah earthquake among earthquake survivors of all age groups, paying attention to the mental health of survivors and identifying their mental disorders such as depression are highly essential. Thus, there is a need for valid screening measures for the common mental conditions among the earthquake survivors.Objectives: This study aimed to validate the Kurdish version of Beck depression inventory (BDI) among the earthquake survivors of Kermanshah. Methods: First, the Kurdish version of BDI was prepared using the forward-backward method. Then, the prepared BDI questionnaire was distributed among 138 earthquake survivors selected through the stratified random sampling method in Javanrud and Salas cities of Iran. The reliability and internal consistency of the Kurdish version of BDI were evaluated using the test-retest correlation coefficient and infraclass correlation coefficient. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 18. Results: The Kurdish version of BDI had desirable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.66 to 0.89), test-retest reliability (r = 0.86), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.66) and discriminant validity among earthquake survivors with depression symptoms as the clinical samples and the control group (mean BDI = 14.43 vs. 7.76; P ≥ 0.001). Conclusions:This study indicated that the Kurdish version of the BDI-21 is a valid, reliable and appropriate instrument to be used as a depression screening measure among the Kurdish population of Kermanshah.

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to the removal of a part or the entire female genital organ, which is often performed by a local individual using a blade without any anesthetics. FGM is concentrated in some African countries, Asia, and the Middle East. Objective: The present study was conducted in Iran, where FGM is a religious practice and not considered a crime, aiming to evaluate the information, beliefs, and understanding of the phenomenon among the residents of Uramanat (Javanrood, Ravansar, Salas, and Paveh cities) and compare the differences in the responses of the residents. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among the Uramanat residents of Kermanshah province, Iran. Data were collected on the age, marital status, attitude, and knowledge of FGM. Results: The survey was implemented among 250 residents of the Uramanat region, and 212 questionnaires (82.7%) were returned by 96 women (47%) and 109 men (54%). Notably, 66.8% of the female participants had been circumcised. The findings indicated that 81.04% of the male residents and 88.5% of the female residents believed that FGM is a religious practice. Only 8.1% of the female residents compared to 18.7% of the male residents considered FGM to be illegal. Although 78.8% of the male participants stated that their spouse was circumcised, the majority of the men (57.8%) preferred a wife with a healthy female genitalia. Conclusions: According to the results, there are numerous and confusing perspectives regarding FGM. The lack of specific rules and knowledge about the psychological, sexual, and physical effects of FGM lead to the continuation of this practice. Therefore, raising the awareness of various social groups about FGM and its complications could put an end to this inhuman issue.