Basic Health, Women’s Health, and Mental Health Among Internally Displaced Persons in Nyala Province, South Darfur, Sudan
- 1 February 2007
- journal article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 97 (2), 353-361
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2005.073635
Abstract
Objectives. We assessed basic health, women’s health, and mental health among Sudanese internally displaced persons in South Darfur. Methods. In January 2005, we surveyed 6 registered internally displaced persons camps in Nyala District. Using systematic random sampling, we surveyed 1293 households, interviewing 1 adult female per household (N=1274); respondents’ households totaled 8643 members. We inquired about respondents’ mental health, opinions on women’s rights, and the health status of household members. Results. A majority of respondents had access to rations, shelter, and water. Sixty-eight percent (861 of 1266) used no birth control, and 53% (614 of 1147) reported at least 1 unattended birth. Thirty percent (374 of 1238) shared spousal decisions on timing and spacing of children, and 49% (503 of 1027) reported the right to refuse sex. Eighty-four percent (1043 of 1240) were circumcised. The prevalence of major depression was 31% (390 of 1253). Women also expressed limited rights regarding marriage, movement, and access to health care. Eighty-eight percent (991 of 1121) supported equal educational opportunities for women. Conclusions. Humanitarian aid has relieved a significant burden of this displaced population’s basic needs. However, mental and women’s health needs remain largely unmet. The findings indicate a limitation of sexual and reproductive rights that may negatively affect health.Keywords
This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- Mortality and Malnutrition Among Populations Living in South Darfur, SudanJAMA, 2005
- Mental health in complex emergenciesThe Lancet, 2004
- Les mutilations génitales féminines : généralités, complications et prise en charge obstétricaleJournal de Gynécologie Obstétrique et Biologie de la Reproduction, 2004
- Human Rights Abuses and Concerns About Women's Health and Human Rights in Southern IraqJAMA, 2004
- Tetanus in developing countries: an update on the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination InitiativeVaccine, 2003
- The Feasibility of Using the Spanish PHQ-9 to Screen for Depression in Primary Care in HondurasThe Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders, 2002
- Maternal Mortality in Herat Province, Afghanistan, in 2002JAMA, 2002
- The PHQ-9Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001
- Identifying Patients With Depression in the Primary Care SettingArchives of Internal Medicine, 1998
- Attempted suicide in Europe: rates, trend.S and sociodemographic characteristics of suicide attempters during the period 1989–1992. Results of the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study on ParasuicideActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1996