Women’s mental health in Iraq post-conflict

ABSTRACT

Women are the silent sufferers of war, they have higher rates of anxiety and depression after terror events than men who have been similarly exposed. In this study, we aim to explore the prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts/attempts among Iraqi women post-conflict. A sample of 1000 women was collected in this cross-sectional study that was conducted in Baghdad city from January through September 2020. Their mental state was addressed by assessing anxiety and depression on symptomatic basis using standard questions from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5) scale. The results showed that the vast majority (91.1%) of the sampled women had experienced war-related trauma since 2003. Anxiety symptoms were reported by 39.7% of the women, depressive symptoms by 34.2% and suicidal thoughts/attempts by 35.8%. More than two-thirds of the women experienced difficulties in their social life and relationships. The majority of the studied women had negative expectations regarding their future and more than half of them expressed their intention to emigrate. The findings of this study indicate that anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts/attempts are prevalent among this sample of Iraqi women post-conflict. Significant associated factors were losing a husband and having early married girls in the household.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health
• conflict
• women
• Iraq

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Riyadh K. Lafta

Riyadh K. Lafta, Graduated from Baghdad Medical School 1984, Board degree in Family and Community Medicine 1994, Head of Family and Community Medicine Department, Mustansiriya Medical School 2017. Affiliated Prof/Global Health Department, University of Washington/Seattle, USA since 2011, published 125 articles in different branches of Medicine with more focus on effect of violence, and armed conflicts on health.

Auhood K. Merza

Auhood K. Merza, (MD, Family Physician, Board candidate), graduated from College of Medicine/University of Baghdad.