FEMALES HAVE HIGHER RATES OF DEPRESSION AMONG CONFLICT-AFFECTED INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN PAKISTAN
Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations and violent clashes between non-state armed groups continue to lead to major, rapid movements of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Pakistan’s volatile north-west. Beside other problems, conflict-affected IDPs also face financial and mental constraints. However, there is limited evidence available on mental health status of IDPs, therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of depression conflict-affected IDPs.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Khyber Pakhtoonkha province of Pakistan. Camps of conflict-affected IDPs were identified and a sample of 623 individuals was recruited through a simple random sampling using the official registration lists in the year 2010 and 2011. We used Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) to assess the depression. Logistic regression models were used to examine the determinants of depression.
RESULTS:
Of 623 individuals, 332 (53.3%) were males and 291 females (47.7%), with a mean age of 39.3±12.9 and a mean depression score of 17.6±11.2. Females had a higher prevalence (p-value <0.01) compared with males (20.6% vs 20.5%), (24.7% vs 16.0%) and (30.2% vs 25.6%) for mild, mild to moderate and moderate to severe depression, respectively. Financial constraints (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.49-5.66) among males and loss of a blood relative (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.10-4.95) among females were significantly associated with severe depression.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study suggests that females have higher rates of depression among conflict-affected IDPs. Differential determinants of depression indicate the need for further research to identify high-risk groups to reduce the risk of deleterious effects of depression.