Adaptation of the program of medical and psychological care for temporarily internally displaced children

Abstract

Background. The problems of civilian population rehabilitation in Ukraine existed long before February 2022 due to prolonged military actions in certain regions of the country since 2014. Medical and psychological assistance to internally displaced persons and individuals affected in temporarily occupied territories remains relevant to this day. Children may experience stress and trauma, requiring a competent and specialized approach to their psychological well-being. The purpose of the article is to assess the effectiveness of the impact of the medical-psychological assistance program on internally displaced children as a result of the war in Ukraine. The purpose – of the work is to evaluation of the effectiveness of the medical and psychological assistance program for internally displaced children as a result of the war in Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Participants in the study included a group of internally displaced children comprising 70 respondents aged 12 to 17 who were undergoing rehabilitation. The children underwent analysis of clinical symptoms and changes in laboratory and instrumental indicators during inpatient treatment and for 3 months after discharge. Follow-up data were collected through questionnaire surveys during telephone interviews. Standardized questionnaires and instruments aimed at identifying signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders among children were utilized for this purpose. Results. Before the program implementation, signs of PTSD were identified in 46.7% of children (low and moderate levels), signs of anxiety – in 67.1% (overall) and 5.7% (high), depression was present in 69% of children (mostly low and moderate levels). After the implementation of the medical-psychological assistance program, a positive improvement in their mental state was observed. A significant aspect was the reduction of identified symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders among program participants. The results of the conducted research indicate that children who underwent rehabilitation almost completely recovered (95,7%). Conclusions. The results of the adaptation indicate the need to consider the unique needs and psychological challenges faced by temporarily internally displaced children. The application of specialized support tailored to the context of their experience contributes to improving mental health and ensuring their successful integration into a new environment.