Trauma exposure and PTSD prevalence among Yazidi, Christian and Muslim asylum seekers and refugees displaced to Iraqi Kurdistan

Richa, Sami; Herdane, Marie; Dwaf, Azzam; Khalil, Rami Bou; Haddad, Fadi; Khoury, Rhéa El; Zarzour, Myriam; Kassab, Anthony; Dagher, Ramez; Brunet, Alain; El‐Hage, Wissam

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0233681

Cited by 15 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(27 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A systematic review of the literature describing the prevalence rates of PTSD among resettled Iraqi refugees in Western countries finds a range from 8 to 37.2% [20]. Asylum seekers, refugees, and IDPs displaced to Iraqi Kurdistan showed a PTSD prevalence rate of 48.7% [21]. Tekin et al [22] showed a rate of 42.9% among displaced Iraqi Yazidis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Posttraumatic stress disorder correlates among internally displaced Yazidi population following Islamic state of Iraq and Syria attacks in Iraq

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background In 2014, the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) took over one-third of Iraq. This study measured the rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Iraqi Yazidi internally displaced persons (IDPs) and examined associated demographic and traumatic risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in April–June 2015 at the Khanke camp, northern Iraq. Trauma exposure and PTSD were measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (Iraqi version). Results Of 814 adult Yazidi IDPs, 34% screened positive for PTSD. Avoidance and intrusion symptoms had the highest means (M = 3.16, SD = 0.86 and M = 2.63, SD = 0.59 respectively). Associated factors of PTSD included exposure to a high number of traumatic events, unmet basic needs and having witnessed the destruction of residential or religious areas (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.02–1.9 and OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01–1.53 respectively). Being a widow was the only linked demographic factor (OR = 15.39, 95% CI: 3.02–78.39). Conclusions High traumatic exposure, specifically unmet basic needs and having witnessed destruction, was an important predictor of PTSD among Yazidi IDPs. These findings are important for mental health planning for IDPs in camps.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Posttraumatic stress disorder correlates among internally displaced Yazidi population following Islamic state of Iraq and Syria attacks in Iraq

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Mental illnesses, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are prevalent after mass atrocities and displacement. Early studies 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 investigating 1 of the most recently affected populations, displaced Yazidis from northern Iraq after the 2014 genocide, indicate an alarming prevalence of PTSD (42.9%-100%), with women having higher prevalence rates than men. Previous research 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 with genocide survivors (eg, in Rwanda or Bosnia) found that severe mental health effects can last years, even decades, after genocide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Resettlement Among Yazidi Female Refugees Exposed to Violence

Denkinger¹,

Rometsch²,

Engelhardt

et al. 2021

JAMA Netw Open

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Key Points Question How does posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) change during a 1-year period in female refugees who survived mass atrocities, and what factors are associated with PTSD course? Findings This cohort study with 116 female refugee survivors of captivity and genocide found high PTSD severity 2 years after resettlement in Germany with no significant change 1 year later. Factors associated with severe PTSD were earlier symptoms of intrusions and longer time spent in traumatic situations, whereas strengthening in faith and social relationships were associated with symptom relief over time. Meaning This study suggests that female refugee survivors of genocide and captivity are at high risk for severe and chronic PTSD beyond the initial years of resettlement.

show abstract

“…A previous study showing that 75% of Yazidi females who escaped from ISIS had PTSD symptoms (Abbas, 2017), other study demonstrated that the ISIS captivity had longterm consequences on the mental health of Yazidi survivors in German (Kizilhan, 2018). The PTSD rate was found to be significantly higher in Yazidi participants, compare to that of Muslims in Kurdistan -Iraq (Richa et al, 2020). The culture might play a significant role in perceiving the traumatic events among exposed population (Schubert, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traumatic events, post-traumatic stress disorders, and gender among Yazidi population after ISIS invasion: A post conflict study in Kurdistan – Iraq

Shawi

Hassen

2021

Int J Soc Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Traumatic experiences can lead to a range of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder depends on the cumulative exposure to traumatic stress. The Yazidis (Êzidî) are a Kurdish religious minority living in the north of Iraq, western Iran, eastern Turkey, and northern Syria. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) had sought to destroy the Yazidis population through killings; sexual slavery, enslavement, torture, degrading treatment, and forcible migration causing serious physical and mental disorders. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder among Yazidi population in Yazidi community and to assess the association between post-traumatic stress disorder and gender. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during period from June to August 2019. The participants were chosen by a random sampling method from Chammshko camp in Zakho district that it’s a city in Kurdistan region – Iraq. The questionnaire consisted of questions for demographical characteristics (e.g., gender, age, marital status, education, and job), and PTSD symptoms was assessed by using Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Results: The females consisted 54.7% of the subjects. The majority of the participants were married (54.1%) and 98 (54.1%) of them were uneducated. About 79% of the subjects had PTSD symptoms. There was a statistically significant association between gender and PTSD, the female subjects had higher mean of trauma and PTSD symptoms scores (17.84 ± 3.5), (117.34 ± 13.8) respectively compare to that of male subjects (15.95 ± 3.1), (104.61 ± 18.8) respectively ( p < .001) Conclusion: High rate of PTSD among Yazidi population, Female subjects highly suffered from trauma and PTSD.

show abstract

Trauma exposure and PTSD prevalence among Yazidi, Christian and Muslim asylum seekers and refugees displaced to Iraqi Kurdistan

Cited by 15 publications

References 21 publications

Posttraumatic stress disorder correlates among internally displaced Yazidi population following Islamic state of Iraq and Syria attacks in Iraq

Posttraumatic stress disorder correlates among internally displaced Yazidi population following Islamic state of Iraq and Syria attacks in Iraq

Longitudinal Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Resettlement Among Yazidi Female Refugees Exposed to Violence

Traumatic events, post-traumatic stress disorders, and gender among Yazidi population after ISIS invasion: A post conflict study in Kurdistan – Iraq

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About