Trauma and mental health problems of Sudanese refugees in Uganda.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent of trauma and mental health problems.

DESIGN

Screening surveys.

SETTING

Sudanese refugee communities in Northern Ugandan camps.

SUBJECTS: 100 adult refugees, 44 ex-soldiers, 60 patients at camp outpatient health facilities, 63 traditional healers' patients and 56 refugee children.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rate of trauma.

RESULTS

The most common trauma events experienced by 100 adults were forced isolation from others (94%), forced separation from family members (91%) and lack of food or water (83%). Thirty-two percent of the adults suffered post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among the 56 children, 12 (20%) suffered from a chronic PTSD. Forty-four ex-soldiers scored a median of 74.6 (Q1 = 62.3; Q3 = 79.1) on the depressive scale of the Hopskins Symptom checklist. Out of 60 outpatients at a dispensary, 12 (20%) had psychological disorder. Out of a total of 63 patients attending traditional and faith healers' facilities, 26% suffered from PTSD and 39% from depressive disorder.

CONCLUSION

High rates of trauma and psychosocial problems were found among Sudanese refugees in Uganda.