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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 4/2012

01-04-2012 | Original Paper

Prevalence and predictors for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and general health in a population from six villages in South Lebanon

Authors: Laila F. Farhood, Hani Dimassi

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 4/2012

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevalence and predictors of psychiatric disorders in a general population from South Lebanon, an area that was under military occupation for more than 20 years.

Method

This study assessed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression thresholds along with general health (GHQ) among 625 citizens in six villages in South Lebanon using a cross-sectional design through random sampling.

Results

The prevalence ranged from 17.6 to 33.3% for PTSD and from 9.2 to 19.7% for depression. GHQ total score was found to be 6.7 significantly greater than the internationally established mean score of 5.0. Social support, financial resources, gender, and war exposure were significantly related to PTSD and depression thresholds.

Conclusion

The results strongly suggest that the general population in South Lebanon suffer from mental health disorders calling for appropriate psychiatric interventions and development planning.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence and predictors for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and general health in a population from six villages in South Lebanon
Authors
Laila F. Farhood
Hani Dimassi
Publication date
01-04-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0368-6

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