International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
Volume 19, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 45-50

Post-traumatic stress disorder among Syrian refugees in Turkey: A cross-sectional study (Article)

Alpak G.* , Unal A. , Bulbul F. , Sagaltici E. , Bez Y. , Altindag A. , Dalkilic A. , Savas H.A.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310 Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey
  • b Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310 Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey
  • c Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310 Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey
  • d Tatvan State Hospital, Bitlis, Turkey
  • e Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
  • f Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310 Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey
  • g Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
  • h Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310 Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey

Abstract

Objective. Refugees have had major challenges to meet their health care needs throughout history especially in war zones and natural disaster times. The health care needs of Syrian refugees have been becoming an increasingly important issue. We aimed to examine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and explore its relation with various socioeconomic variables among Syrian refugees, who sought asylum in Turkey. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tent city. Sample size calculation yielded 352 and the participants of the study were determined randomly. Experienced and native Arabic speaking, psychiatrist evaluated the participants. Results. The frequency of PTSD was 33.5%. Through the binary logistic regression analysis, we calculated that the probability of having PTSD among Syrian refugees in our sample was 71%, if they had the following features: with female gender; being diagnosed with psychiatric disorder in the past; having a family history of psychiatric disorder; and experiencing 2 or more traumas. Conclusions. The findings of our study suggest that PTSD among Syrian refugees in Turkey might be an important mental health issue in refugee camps especially among female refugees, who were exposed to 2 or more traumatic events and had a personal or family history of psychiatric disorder. © 2015 Informa Healthcare.

Author Keywords

Post-traumatic stress disorder Syrian refugees Tent city

Index Keywords

refugee Syrian Arab Republic human Refugees middle aged psychiatrist priority journal Aged ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies mental disease Young Adult social status cross-sectional study psychology Humans Adolescent male female risk factor Risk Factors prevalence Article major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder Syria Turkey Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic family history
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84924068705&doi=10.3109%2f13651501.2014.961930&partnerID=40&md5=4cdac79c416903b591dd11a10d960ce8
DOI: 10.3109/13651501.2014.961930
ISSN: 13651501
Cited by: 80
Original Language: English