Psychological Distress among Internal Displaced Persons in Baghdad City

Abstract

Abstract Background: Globally, over 40 million people were displaced as a result of wars and violence due to religious and ethnic conflicts in 2015 while 19.2 million were displaced by natural disasters such as famine and floods. In Iraq, 4 million people were displaced by military process and terrorist violence. These events have potentially negative impact on the health of these populations. Objectives: The present study aims to assess the effects of internal displacement on the mental health among displaced persons. It also aims to determine the social and demographic characteristics of the displaced persons, such as in age, gender, level of education, monthly income and duration of displacement their relationship to the level of psychological distress. Methodology: A descriptive analytical study was conducted from 1/October /2014 until 15/January/2015 to realize the psychological distress of the displaced persons who were living in displacement camps. The research sample was conducted on (110) displaced persons, the ages ranging was from 20 to more than 50 years old who are living in displacement camps in Baghdad city, As they were chosen by depending on an intentional method by systematic random technique. Questionnaire was designed by the researchers for achieving the objectives of the study, which consisted of two parts; included both parts the combined information and demographic characteristics and psychological distress scale. Total of items of the questionnaire was estimated (17) items. Determination of the stability of the validity for the resolution was done through the inductive study. On other hand, data were analyzed by descriptive statistical and deductive analysis method, which included redundancy, frequency, percentage, mean and the coefficient correlation of Pearson and chi square. Results: The results indicated that the majority of the displaced persons were male and aged 50 and more years old, most of them persons who had primary level of education and have somewhat sufficient in income level and family type is unclear, the vast majority of persons who were had a job before displacement. The persons with internal displacement had significantly moderate level of psychological distress. A significant effect has been found of gender, level of education, monthly income, and family type on mental health. There are significant relationships between psychological distress and age, level of education, occupation, monthly income and duration of displacement variables. Conclusions: Internal displacement and is a prominent problem within many developing countries and emerging democracies such as Iraq. Our results suggested that internal displacement might be related to higher internalization mental health problems. Recommendations: The researchers recommend is especially important to identify rights and guarantees relevant to the protection of displaced persons. This is likely to focus attention and provide much needed assistance for the appropriate resettlement and future reintegration of those persons within their countries.