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 aredescribing the results of a community survey conducted by clinicians in a small village of EasternAfghanistan. This study was carried out to measure prevalence of psychiatric disorders among thepeople living in a small village in the Nangerhar, Afghanistan. We also wanted to measure theassociated demographic variables. Methods: A structured interview schedule, Mini Internationalneuropsychiatry 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 wartorn country should take sufficient measures in building mental health services with specialemphasis on mental health problems.Keywords: Violence, Trauma, Psychiatric disorders, warReferences
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