Abstract
BackgroundExperiencing conflict and displacement can have a negative impact on an individual’s mental health. Currently, prevalence of mental health disorders (MHDs) at the primary care level in post-conflict areas within the Northern Province of Sri Lanka is unknown. We aimed to explore this prevalence in conflict-affected populations attending primary care, using a structured package of validated screening tools for MHDs.MethodsThis cross-sectional study aimed to determine factors related to mental health disorders at the primary care level in Northern Province, Sri Lanka. A structured interview was conducted with internally displaced adults attending 25 randomly selected primary care facilities across all districts of Northern Sri Lanka (Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya). Participants were screened for depression, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD, and somatoform symptoms.ResultsAmong 533 female and 482 male participants (mean age 53.2 years), the prevalence rate for any MHD was 58.8% (95% CI, 53.8–61.4), with 42.4% screening positive for two or more disorders (95% CI, 38.6–46.1). Anxiety prevalence was reported at 46.7% (95% CI, 41.9–51.5), depression at 41.1% (95% CI, 38.7–44.5), PTSD at 13.7% (95% CI, 10.6–16.8), somatoform symptoms at 27.6% (95% CI, 23.6–31.5), and psychosis with hypomania at 17.6% (95% CI, 13.3–21.9).ConclusionThis is the first study at the primary care level to investigate prevalence of MHDs among conflict-affected populations in the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. Results highlight unmet mental health needs in the region. Training intervention to integrate mental health services into primary care is planned.
Highlights
Experiencing conflict and displacement can have a negative impact on an individual’s mental health
This paper presents the results of the Phase One study, which indicate high prevalence of unmet Mental health disorder (MHD) in adults presenting in primary care facilities in Northern Province, Sri Lanka
More than three-quarters of participants reported more than one displacement experience (77.5%; 95% CI, 68.5– 86.5%); 70.2% reported displacement to an Internally displaced person (IDP) camp
Summary
Experiencing conflict and displacement can have a negative impact on an individual’s mental health. Prevalence of mental health disorders (MHDs) at the primary care level in post-conflict areas within the Northern Province of Sri Lanka is unknown. The prevalence of MHDs in post-conflict Sri Lanka is unknown. Previous epidemiological studies have explored the burden of MHDs linked to the conflict, but were limited to community samples assessing depression, anxiety, psychosis, or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. Little is known about prevalence and predictors of MHDs at the primary care level or how to address unmet mental health needs of primary care attendees in the post-conflict region
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