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PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOMATIC HEALTH PROBLEMS IN BOSNIAN REFUGEES: A THREE YEAR FOLLOW-UP
Iris Sarajlić Vuković
; Department of Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Nikolina Jovanović
; Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia ; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Branko Kolarić
; Department for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia ; Public Health, Social Medicine and Gerontology Service, Zagreb County Institute of Public Health, Croatia
Vesna Vidović
; Department of Psychological Medicine, Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb
Richard Francis Mollica
; Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, USA
Sažetak
Background: Aim of this study was to explore association between psychiatric disorders (PTSD and depression) and chronic
medical illnesses in a group of Bosnian refugees followed up for three years (1996-1999).
Subjects and methods: Study was conducted in refugee camps in Varaždin, Nbaseline=534, Nendpoint=376 (70.4%). The
interviews were conducted in Bosnian, data on depression and PTSD were collected using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 and
Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, respectively. Medical conditions were self-reported.
Results: Most important findings: 1) Half of the sample at both study points reported no psychiatric problems (N=294, 55% vs.
N=225, 59%), others suffered from depression (N=99, 18.5% at both times), PTSD (N=30, 5.6% vs. N=15, 4%), and depression +
PTSD (N=129, 24.2% vs. N=114, 30.3%); 2) A total of 15 medical conditions were identified, and most frequently present were high
blood pressure (N=201, 37.6%) and heart disease (N=167, 31.3%); 3) Occurrence of medical conditions was related to the clinical
group – they were more frequent in subjects diagnosed with depression and depression + PTSD, than in those who were
asymptomatic or suffering from PTSD only.
Conclusions: Our data indicate the persistence of both psychological and somatic health problems in Bosnian refugees involved
in this study over time. Holistic approach and avoiding of mind-body dualism might be beneficial for the care and long-term
prognosis of these people.
Ključne riječi
posttraumatic stress disorders; depression; medical illnesses; refugee; longitudinal study
Hrčak ID:
265277
URI
Datum izdavanja:
23.12.2014.
Posjeta: 645 *