Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
Volume 146, Issue 24, 2002, Pages 1127-1131

Many psychiatric disorders among Afghan refugees in Drenthe, the Netherlands, with a residence status, in particular depressive and posttraumatic stress disorders; community-based study [Veel psychiatrische stoornissen bij Afghaanse vluchtelingen met Verblijfsstatus in Drenthe, met name depressieve stoornis en posttraumatische stressstoornis] (Article)

Gernaat H.B.P.E.* , Malwand A.D. , Laban C.J. , Komproe I. , De Jong J.T.V.M.
  • a Diaconessenhuis, Postbus 502, 7940 AM Meppel, Netherlands
  • b Diaconessenhuis, Postbus 502, 7940 AM Meppel, Netherlands
  • c Diaconessenhuis, Postbus 502, 7940 AM Meppel, Netherlands
  • d Diaconessenhuis, Postbus 502, 7940 AM Meppel, Netherlands
  • e Diaconessenhuis, Postbus 502, 7940 AM Meppel, Netherlands

Abstract

Objective. To assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and help-seeking behaviour of Afghan refugees with a residence status in the province of Drenthe, the Netherlands. Design. Cross-sectional prevalence study. Method. By means of a modified multiflex snowball sampling with 3 primary informants, 55 Afghan households in 16 towns and villages in Drenthe were selected. After informed consent had been obtained, 51 adults completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and a culturally validated shortened 'Composite international diagnostic interview' (CIDI), DSMIV version. Help-seeking behaviour was recorded. Results. Half of the sample had resided in the Netherlands for at least 3 years. There was a high level of education, an unemployment level of 88% and moderate to poor language skills in 92% of the respondents. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 65% (95% CI: 52-78); depressive disorder occurred in 57% and posttraumatic stress disorder in 35%. Psychopathological findings were related to poor language skills, a lower level of education and unemployment. A total of 56% received treatment from a general practitioner and 4% were under psychiatric treatment. Conclusions. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among adult Afghan refugees in Drenthe with a residence status was considerably higher than among the general population in the Netherlands.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Netherlands unemployment Afghanistan depression household refugee human community language disability validation process Stress, Psychological psychiatric diagnosis general practitioner language Mental Disorders Cross-Sectional Studies interview mental disease informed consent Humans male female Socioeconomic Factors questionnaire prevalence patient education Article adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0037096734&partnerID=40&md5=eb6180ef8c48dba6d866ff386c0a54b9
ISSN: 00282162
Cited by: 21
Original Language: Dutch