Changes in mental disorder prevalence among conflict-affected populations: a prospective study in Sri Lanka (COMRAID-R)

Siriwardhana, Chesmal; Adikari, Anushka; Pannala, Gayani; Roberts, Bayard; Siribaddana, Sisira; Abas, Melanie; Sumathipala, Athula; Stewart, Robert

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal data are lacking on mental health trajectories following conflict resolution and return migration. COMRAID-R is a follow-up study of Muslims displaced by conflict from Northern Sri Lanka 20 years ago who are now beginning to return. METHODS: Of 450 participants in displacement interviewed in 2011, 338 (75.1%) were re-interviewed a year later, and a supplementary random sample (n?=?228) was drawn from return migrants with a comparable displacement history. Common mental disorder (CMD; Patient Health Questionnaire) and post-traumatic stress disorder (CIDI-subscale) were measured. RESULTS: A CMD prevalence of 18.8% (95%CI 15.2-22.5) at baseline had reduced to 8.6% (5.6-11.7) at follow-up in those remaining in displacement, and was 10.3% (6.5-14.1) in return migrants. PTSD prevalences were 2.4%, 0.3% and 1.6% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a substantial decrease in CMD prevalence in this population over a short period, which may reflect the prospect of return migration and associated optimism following conflict resolution.

Citation

Siriwardhana, C., Adikari, A., Pannala, G., Roberts, B., Siribaddana, S., Abas, M., …Stewart, R. (in press). Changes in mental disorder prevalence among conflict-affected populations: a prospective study in Sri Lanka (COMRAID-R). BMC Psychiatry, 15, Article 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0424-y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 19, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Mar 10, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: May 26, 2023
• Journal: BMC Psychiatry
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Article Number: 41
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0424-y
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/403929
• Publisher URL: http://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-015-0424-y