International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume 127, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 138-143

A cross-sectional survey on gender-based violence and mental health among female urban refugees and asylum seekers in Kampala, Uganda (Article)

Morof D.F.* , Sami S. , Mangeni M. , Blanton C. , Cardozo B.L. , Tomczyk B.
  • a Division of Reproductive Health, Field Support Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., Atlanta, GA 30341, United States
  • b Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • c Community Services, Gender-based Violence Project, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
  • d Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • e Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • f Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States

Abstract

Objective: To assess gender-based violence andmental health outcomes among a population of female urban refugees and asylum seekers.Methods: In a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 in Kampala, Uganda, a study team interviewed a stratified random sample of female refugees and asylum seekers aged 1559 years fromthe Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. Questionnaireswere used to collect information about recent and lifetime exposure to sexual and physical violence, and symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Results: Among the 500 women selected, 117 (23.4%) completed interviews. The weighted lifetime prevalences of experiencing any (physical and/or sexual) violence, physical violence, and sexual violence were 77.5% (95% CI 66.688.4), 76.2% (95% CI 65.287.2), and 63.3% (95% CI 51.275.4), respectively. Lifetime history of physical violence was associated with PTSD symptoms (P < 0.001), aswas lifetime history of sexual violence (P= 0.014).Overall, 112women had symptoms of depression (weighted prevalence 92.0; 95% CI 83.9100) and 83 had PTSD symptoms (weighted prevalence 71.1; 95% CI 59.982.4).Conclusion: Prevalences of violence, depression, and PTSD symptoms among female urban refugees in Kampala are high. Additional services and increased availability of psychosocial programs for refugees are needed. © 2014 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Post-traumatic stress disorder Asylum seekers Depression Urban refugees Uganda Mental health Refugees violence

Index Keywords

urban area depression refugee mental health human Refugees middle aged violence statistics and numerical data Congo physical violence Democratic Republic Congo Uganda Cross-Sectional Studies patient counseling Young Adult asylum seeker cross-sectional study Humans psychology Adolescent female Review questionnaire Democratic Republic of the Congo help seeking behavior Questionnaires adult major clinical study random sample posttraumatic stress disorder Somalia Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic outcome assessment sexual violence gender based violence Rape
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84908058903&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijgo.2014.05.014&partnerID=40&md5=ad111cd974326fb3c747e0ff98d894c0
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.05.014
ISSN: 00207292
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English