Elucidating Mental Health Disorders among Rohingya Refugees: A Malaysian Perspective

Abstract

Mental health disorders (MHDs) among refugees has been recognized as a major public health issue. However, to date, there is limited evidence on the prevalence of MHDs among Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and associated factors of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. A total of 220 refugees were randomly selected to participate in this cross-sectional study, conducted from June 2019 to November 2019. Perceived social support, religious orientation, food security, and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed as independent variables. The dependent variables assessed were MDD, GAD, and PTSD. The prevalence of GAD, PTSD, and MDD was reported at 92 (41.8%), 84 (38.2%), and 71 (32.3%). Several factors were significantly associated with MDD following multivariate analysis such as perceived low to moderate social support (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.13, 4.19) and food insecurity (AOR = 2.77; 95% CI 1.19, 6.47). Exposure to violence (AOR = 38.46; 95% CI 16.27, 90.91) and food insecurity (AOR = 3.74; 95% CI 1.41, 9.91) were significantly associated with PTSD. Addressing these risk factors could be key in improving mental health outcomes among this vulnerable population.

Predisplacement Abuse and Postdisplacement Factors Associated With Mental Health Symptoms After Forced Migration Among Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

“…Similar results found that a lack of social support was associated with poorer mental health. 39 , 40 , 41 …”

“…Several studies have shown that male refugees had a higher prevalence of poor mental health. 38 , 41 , 42 A qualitative study among refugees from Afghanistan speculates that the lack of job opportunities plays a crucial role in mental distress among men after years of forced migration. 43 Rohingya women do not get enough paid jobs in conservative Rohingya society, making it difficult for them to earn a living.…”

“…Many of the Rohingya refugees work in the refugee camps, especially as paid day laborers who help construct roads, prevent of social support was associated with poorer mental health. [39][40][41] Before the mass exodus to Bangladesh, sex-based abuse toward refugees was well documented in many reports. [4][5][6] We found that physical abuse was more frequent among male refugees than female refugees and that both physical and sexual abuse were equally prevalent among male and female refugees.…”

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among Rohingya (forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals or FDMNs) older adults in Bangladesh amid the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Our study found higher DS in older adults female Rohingya FDMNs as compared to their male counterparts and this corroborates with previous findings in Rohingya FDMNs in Bangladesh (Turrini et al ., 2017 ), Rohingya FDMNs in Malaysia (Kaur et al ., 2020 ), Syrian refugees in Iraq (Mahmood et al ., 2019 ) and Bosnian refugees in Sweden (Blight et al ., 2006 ). It is evident from both local and global evidence that refugees have disproportionate outcomes based on gender and females suffer more psychosocial trauma, indicating the influence of both psychosocial and biological factors.…”

Editors’ Comments on the Special Issue “Social Determinants of Mental Health”

“…In the second one [ 10 ], the researchers analysed how the characteristics of the neighbourhood can influence poor mental health and how it is necessary to take them into account to develop national policies and programmes that influence and improve the health of residents. Another article analysed protective and risk factors for the mental health of Rohingya refugees [ 11 ]. This study concluded that violence, food insecurity, and low social support significantly increase the odds of mental health diseases, and more efforts are needed to address these issues.…”