Mental health and quality of life assessment among adult internally displaced persons, Tripoli Libya

Abstract

Abstract Background Internal displacement in Libya is one of the main results of armed conflicts since 2011. Displacement adversely affects the quality of life. Our descriptive study aims to assess the percentage of mental disorders, the level of the quality of life among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in private residents and camps in Tripoli city Libya. Methods In this study, 469 IDPs were reached in Tripoli city, Libya (227 IDPs in private residency and 242 IDPs in camp residency). The questionnaires including socio-economic characteristics, health status, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 42) and Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) were filled by IDPs under observation. Results Among private residents 51.8% were males, 41.0% of them aged 25-34, the mean score for SF 36 Physical Sub dimension (PQOL) and Sd was 69.72±20.85 (p < 0.001) and the mean score for SF 36 Mental Sub dimension (MQOL) was 62.28±17.87 (p < 0.001), where 24.2% of them had chronic disease and 45.5% of them had a degree of mental disorder. Among camp residents 33.2% were males, 32.6% of them aged 18-24, they had mean score and Sd 59.43±17.86 for PQOL (p < 0.001) and mean score 55.56±17.20 for MQOL (p < 0.001), where 16.5% of them had chronic disease and 72.6% of them had a degree of mental disorder. Conclusions Camp resident IDPs had higher mental disorders and lower score of quality of life domains than private resident IDPs. Among IDPs; statistically significant association was found between low level of quality of life and camp residency, the presence of chronic disease and mental disorders. Thus efforts target the improvement of socio-economic status and mental healthcare service among camp resident IDPs are highly recommended, with special attention to people with chronic diseases. Key messages Internal displacement, camp residency, the presence of chronic disease and mental disorders have a deep negative impact on quality of life. IDPs living in camp residency need additional interventions to improve the quality of life.