Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume 41, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 400-408

Mental disorders among Somali refugees: Developing culturally appropriate measures and assessing socio-cultural risk factors (Article)

Bhui K.* , Craig T. , Mohamud S. , Warfa N. , Stansfeld S.A. , Thornicroft G. , Curtis S. , McCrone P.
  • a Centre for Psychiatry, Barts and The London Medical School, Charterhouse sq., London EC1M, United Kingdom
  • b GKT School of Medicine, St. Thomas Campus, London, United Kingdom
  • c Centre for Psychiatry, Barts and The London Medical School, Charterhouse sq., London EC1M, United Kingdom
  • d Centre for Psychiatry, Barts and The London Medical School, Charterhouse sq., London EC1M, United Kingdom, GKT School of Medicine, St. Thomas Campus, London, United Kingdom
  • e Centre for Psychiatry, Barts and The London Medical School, Charterhouse sq., London EC1M, United Kingdom
  • f Health Services Research, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
  • g Centre for Geography, Queen Mary College, London, United Kingdom
  • h Health Services Research, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: There are few mental health data for Somali people. This is due to the absence of culturally validated appropriate assessment instruments and methodological challenges. We aimed to develop a culturally appropriate instrument, and address the methodological challenges and assess some risk factors for mental disorder among Somalis in London. Methods: Following a comprehensive process of cultural adaptation of the MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview, we assessed ICD-10 mental disorders among 143 Somalis recruited from GP registers and community sites. Associations with demographic and economic characteristics, sampling venues, cultural and migration related risk factors are reported. Results: A higher risk of mental disorders was found among Somalis who used Khat (OR = 10.5, 1.1-98.3) claimed asylum at entry to the UK (OR = 12.8, 2-81.4) and recruits from primary care rather than from community sites (OR = 5.9, 1.4-25.8). A lower risk of mental disorders was found amongst Somalis in employment (OR = 0.03, 0.01-0.61), and those receiving education in the UK and in Somalia (OR = 0.13, 0.02-0.92). Over a third of subjects had any mental disorder (36.4%, 28.4-44.4), mainly common mental disorders (CMD) (33.8%, 26-41.5) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (14%, 8.8-20.8). CMD were found among 80% of those with PTSD. Conclusion: Public health interventions for Somalis should focus on CMD as well as PTSD, khat use and mental health screening for suicide risk and mental disorders on arrival. © Steinkopff Verlag Darmstadt 2006.

Author Keywords

Instruments cultural Somali Psychiatric Refugees Adaptation

Index Keywords

education primary medical care refugee mental health service Registries public health service sampling demography London register human community Refugees risk assessment International Classification of Diseases economic aspect controlled study social aspect general practitioner screening test Mental Disorders mental disease Humans neuropsychological test psychology Adolescent Severity of Illness Index male female risk factor Risk Factors cultural factor prevalence Community Mental Health Services Article social adaptation major clinical study adult migration posttraumatic stress disorder Somalia United Kingdom Catchment Area (Health) employment Suicide Culture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33646391689&doi=10.1007%2fs00127-006-0043-5&partnerID=40&md5=5ad3af2c5632614af470683e9462cf39
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-006-0043-5
ISSN: 09337954
Cited by: 92
Original Language: English