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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Cheryl Robertson, PhD, MPH, RN1, Linda Halcon, PHD, MPH, RN1, Kay Savik, MS1, James Butcher, PHD2, David Johnson, MD, MPH3, Marline Spring, PhD4, Joseph Westermeyer, MD, MPH, PHD3, and James Jaranson, MD, MA, MPH5. (1) School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 6-101 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0342, 612-624-5412, rober007@tc.umn.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (3) Psychiatry, VAMC, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, (4) Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1-210 Moos Tower, 308 Harvard St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (5) Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1-210 Moos tower, 515 Delaware St., Minneapolis, MN 55455
Objectives: To describe demographics, war trauma, and associated factors among Somali and Oromo Ethiopian refugee women. Design: Analysis of the women participants (N=529) from a population-based survey of 1134 Somali and Oromo refugees. Questionnaire included demographics, history of trauma and torture, and scales for physical, psychological, and social problems, and a posttraumatic stress (PTSD) symptom checklist. Results: Fewer than half (43.9%) of Oromo and 36.8% of Somali women speak English, high numbers (63%) had less than a high school education, and 26% had no formal education. Most (69%) had children and 47% of the mothers were living without their partners. Mothers had significantly (p<.001) higher trauma counts (23.7 vs. 19.9), higher problem scores, and higher rates of PTSD symptoms (35.2 vs. 31.2) than women who were not mothers. Women had significantly (p,.001) higher trauma counts (22.4 vs. 19.3), and more psychological problems (2.9 vs.2.4), and more social problems (8.4 vs. 5.2) than men, but their rates of PTSD symptoms were not significantly different. There are moderate to strongly significant correlations between problems and trauma counts. Conclusion: Somali and Oromo refugee women have experienced high exposure to war trauma and associated psychological and social problems. High numbers of women with little or no education and limited English language skills give them few opportunities and puts them at risk for poverty and isolation. The data suggest that mothers experience additional risks and are in particular need of public health interventions.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the participant will be able to
Keywords: Refugees, Torture
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.