PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS IN AN AFGHAN VILLAGE
Abstract
Background: The rates of psychiatric disorders might be very high in Afghanistan. The countryhas faced many years of war and violence and therefore this is hardly surprising. We are
describing the results of a community survey conducted by clinicians in a small village of Eastern
Afghanistan. This study was carried out to measure prevalence of psychiatric disorders among the
people living in a small village in the Nangerhar, Afghanistan. We also wanted to measure the
associated demographic variables. Methods: A structured interview schedule, Mini International
neuropsychiatry Interview Schedule (MINI), was used to measure psychiatric morbidity. Results:
More than 70% of the population fulfilled criteria for some form of mental illness. Conclusions:
The rates of mental health problems are very high in Afghanistan. Any efforts to rebuild this war
torn country should take sufficient measures in building mental health services with special
emphasis on mental health problems.
Keywords: Violence, Trauma, Psychiatric disorders, war
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