Internally Displaced Persons (Idps)

Abstract

Most internally displaced persons (IDPs) live in low-income countriesexperiencing a war; their psychosocial health has not been well addressed. Objectives: To findout the prevalence of anxiety and depression in internally displaced persons (IDPs). Design:A randomized cluster sampling, case-controlled study. Period: 10th April 2009 to 10th July2009. Setting: This study was conducted at Kacha Ghari camp and Sheikh Yaseen camp forIDPs. Patients and Method: A total of 220 cases (those whom were exposed to traumaticexperiences) were selected through cluster random sampling. 220-matched controls (thosewhom were not exposed to traumatic experiences) were selected same day using the samesampling method. Both sexes were included. Socio-demographic information was obtainedfrom IDP- information form. Anxiety and depression was assessed using Hopkins symptomschecklist – 25 (HSCL-25). SPSS version -17 was used for statistical analysis. Chi square testwas applied for group comparison to calculate statistical significance. Results: More thanhalf of the participants (60 %) in this study were in age group between 18 to 38 years. 55 %of the population were females. Majority of participant were married (86% - 90%) and wereuneducated (74% - 90%) belongs to lower socio-economical class. The total Scores and theDepression Scores on Hopkins symptoms checklist – 25 (HSCL-25), were significant high incase group than in control group with the P values of 0.04 and 0.05 respectively. Discussion:Trauma and torture leaves a permanent scar on the survivors. It has physical, psychological andsocial squeals. Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 is intended to provide primary care physicians,mental health practitioners and other health care providers with an instrument for detectinganxiety and depression in torture and trauma victims. Conclusions: Besides being displacedfrom their residence exposure to trauma come out to be the important causative factor increating psychological disturbance among internally displaced persons.

Conflict and Displacement: The Life Stories of Internally Displaced Families (IDFs)

“…Lazarus and Launier (1978) further assert that emotional processes (including stress) depend on actual expectancies that persons manifest concerning the significance and outcome of a specific encounter. It corroborates the study of Akhunzada et al, (2015) that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), besides being displaced from their residence, exposure to trauma comes out to be an important causative factor in creating psychological disturbance. Trauma from conflict had clinically recognizable depression and anxiety symptoms along with emotional distress.…”

“…The health and psychosocial wellbeing of IDP is affected in several ways. It produces extremely high levels of psychiatric morbidity amongst the IDP population who suffer somatic symptoms and physical illnesses, particularly hypertension, asthma, and chronic pain syndromes (Akhunzada et al, 2015).…”