scholarly journals Conflict-related violence and mental health among self-settled Democratic Republic of Congo female refugees in Kampala, Uganda – a respondent driven sampling survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Itziar Familiar ◽  
Pamela Nasirumbi Muniina ◽  
Chris Dolan ◽  
Moses Ogwal ◽  
David Serwadda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Respondent Driven Sampling ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Symptom Criteria

Abstract Background Violence and traumatic events are highly prevalent among refugees, but less is known about the impact of these experiences among self-settled refugees in the country of asylum. We evaluated the association between traumatic experiences and PTSD and depression symptoms among female Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) refugees living in Kampala, Uganda. Methods Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling in one refugee service center in Kampala, Uganda. Eligibility criteria included: Congolese nationality, age 18+ years, self-settled in Kampala for at least 6 months, refugee status or documentation of application for refugee status. Only data from female participants were included in this analysis. Depression symptoms were screened with the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and symptom criteria for PTSD and traumatic experiences were evaluated with the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Logistic regression models were performed to separately assess associations between mental health outcomes (PTSD and depression), rape and non-sexual violence. Results Five hundred eighty women with a mean age of 33 years were interviewed. Among participants, 73% (95% CI:67–78%) met symptom criteria for PTSD, 57% (95% CI: 51–63%) for depression, and 65% reported thoughts of ending one’s life. 79% of women reported experience of rape, for over half (54%) it occurred more than once, and 82% were gang raped. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) show that PTSD was most strongly associated with being raped (OR = 2.43, p < 0.01), lacking shelter (OR = 2.86, p < 0.01), lacking food or water (OR = 2.53, p = 0.02), lacking access to health care (OR = 2.84, p < 0.01), forced labor (OR = 2.6, p < 0.01), extortion and/or robbery (OR = 3.08, p < 0.01), experiencing the disappearance/kidnapping of a family member or friend (OR = 2.72, p < 0.01), and witnessing the killing or murder of other people (OR = 3.28, p < 0.01). Depression was significantly associated with several traumatic experiences including rape (OR = 2.3, p = 0.01), and experiencing the disappearance/kidnapping of a child or spouse (OR = 1.99, p = 0.01). Conclusions Refugee women self-settled in Kampala reported high lifetime experiences of violence and traumatic events including rape, as well as high rates of PTSD and depression. Future programming addressing self-settled refugees and their settlement in host countries may benefit from including local and national integration strategies.

scholarly journals Impact of the Healing in Harmony program on women's mental health in a rural area in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Cikuru ◽  
Ali Bitenga ◽  
Juvenal Bazilashe Mukungu Balegamire ◽  
Prince Mujumbe Salama ◽  
Michelle M. Hood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Women’S Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Women's Mental Health ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Post Test

Abstract Background To assess whether Healing in Harmony (HiH), a form of music therapy, improved women's mental health following conflict-related trauma and sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods This study used a step-wedged design and included 167 women, who completed up to two pre-tests, a post-test, and up to two follow-up interviews at 3 and 6 months after completing the program. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist was used to measure anxiety and depression. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to measure post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generalized estimating equations with unstructured covariance were used to estimate mean change in mental health scores and relative risks (RRs) for screening positive. Results Prior to starting the HiH program, 73.9, 84.2, and 68.5% screened positive with median scores being 2.20, 2.70, and 2.06 for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, respectively. The RR for screening positive declined significantly (RR = 0.49 for depression, 0.61 for anxiety, and 0.54 for PTSD) and mean scores declined significantly by −0.54, −0.67, and −0.53 points, respectively, from the pre- to the post-test, declines that were sustained at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up interviews. Conclusion The HiH program was associated with significant improvement in women's mental health that was sustained up to 6 months post completion of the program despite instability in the region and evidence of continued experience of conflict-related trauma during the study. These data support the value of providing psychological care in the context of ongoing humanitarian crises.

scholarly journals The relationship between parent mental health and intimate partner violence on adolescent behavior, stigma and school attendance in families in rural Democratic Republic of Congo

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Glass ◽  
Anjalee Kohli ◽  
Pamela J. Surkan ◽  
Mitma Mpanano Remy ◽  
Nancy Perrin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Parent Mental Health ◽  
The Relationship

Background.Prolonged conflict and economic instability challenge the existing support networks in families and society places significant stress on both adults and adolescents. Exploring individual, family and social factors that increase the likelihood of or protect adolescents from negative outcomes are important to the development of evidence-based prevention and response programing in global settings.Objective.Examine the relationship between parent mental health and experience/perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) and adolescent behaviors, stigma, and school attendance. The relationship is further examined for differences by gender.Methods.Secondary analysis of data from an ongoing comparative effectiveness trial of a productive asset transfer program in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Results.Three hundred and eighty-eight adolescent and parent dyads were included in the analysis. The analysis demonstrated that parent mental health and IPV can have a negative impact their children's well-being and the impact is different for boys and girls, likely linked to gender roles and responsibilities in the home and community. Social relationships of adolescents, as reported through experienced stigma, were negatively impacted for both boys and girls. Parent report of symptoms of PTSD and depression had a stronger negative effect on girls’ outcomes, including experienced stigma, externalizing behaviors, and missed days of school than boys. For adolescent boys, their parent's report of IPV victimization/perpetration was associated with more negative behaviors at the 8-month follow-up assessment.Conclusion.The findings reinforce the critical importance of interventions that engage parents and their children in activities that advance health and improve relationships within the family.

scholarly journals Trauma Experiences of African Men from a Refugee Background in Western Australia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Obiechina Nnadigwe ◽  
Colleen Fisher ◽  
Lisa Wood ◽  
Karen Martin.
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
African Refugee

Abstract Background As people from the African continent continue to settle in Australia, exposure of men from African refugee backgrounds to potentially traumatic events not only impact negatively on their settlement but have also been linked to increased mental health issues and family and domestic violence. This study aims to describe the prevalence and dominant forms of potentially traumatic experiences of African men from a refuge background in Western Australia. Methods Survey data from 421 African men from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Republic of Congo–Brazzaville, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sudan and South Sudan, Burundi and Somalia were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results The study showed that 81% of the participants experienced at least one potentially traumatic event either in their home country or in a refugee country. However, the prevalence of potentially traumatic events in their home country ranged from 45% (Somalia) to 95% (Democratic Republic of Congo) while in refuge countries, the potentially traumatic experience prevalence ranged from 17% (Somalia) to 51% (Sudan and South Sudan). The majority of the participants (64%) experienced "War at close quarter" in their home country. In comparison, the dominant potentially traumatic experience in refuge countries was "Forced Separation" (28%). The study showed that 53% of the participants who experienced one or more potentially traumatic events in their home country also experienced one or more potentially traumatic events in the refugee country. Conclusions This study will provide baseline data on the prevalence and dominant forms of potentially traumatic events of African refugee men now resident in WA. The impact of potentially traumatic events should be addressed in counselling, and other interventions developed and delivered by both government and non-government agencies.

scholarly journals Mental health in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a post-crisis country challenge

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Okitapoy On'okoko ◽  
Rachel Jenkins ◽  
Samuel Mampunza Ma Miezi ◽  
Daniel Okitundu Luwa E Andjafono ◽  
Ildephonse Muteba Mushidi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Traditional Beliefs ◽  
Republic Of Congo

The delivery of mental healthcare in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire, is influenced by geography, politics, legislation and the structure of the health system, as well as traditional beliefs and culture.

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