Traumatic events consequences on the Georgian internally displaced person's mental health: an epidemiological...

Georgia has experienced large waves of internal displacement and has one of the highest prevalence of internal displacement in the world, with IDPs representing about 7.5% of the population. Internal Displacement of Persons (IDP) carry multiple traumas that could affect the displaced populations.

To evaluate IDPs traumas and its mental health associations as compared to the non-displaced persons (non-IDPs) in Georgia.

This study employed a cross-sectional survey using representative sampling of IDPs and a randomized sample of non-IDPs totalling 1765 non-displaced people and 203 IDPs. Interviews were conducted face to face using ITQ (International Trauma Questionnaire) for PTSD, Composite Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) short form for anxious and depressive disorders, questions on suicidal behaviour; ASSIST for addictions, MH5 from SF36 for psychological distress.

IDPs and non IDPs populations differed on many aspects: IDPs were older, retired, from rural areas with lower education than non IDPs. Exposure to multiple traumatic events was higher in IDPs: 22.08% reported 4 or more events versus 1.27% for non IDPs. IDPs had much higher PTSD impairing symptoms from ITQ than non-IDPs (8.59% versus 1.32%). They suffered more from psychological distress and anxiety disorders but have equal prevalence of depressive disorders and moderate or severe risk of addictions. IDPs have lower prevalence of suicidal thoughts than non IDPs. Once controlled for most of the sociodemographic factors, IDPs remained at very higher risk as compared to non-IDPs for PTSD symptoms with impairment (OR = 12.12, GAD OR = 3.38, and panic anxiety OR = 1.72).

Georgian IDPs are more likely to suffer from PTSD and anxious disorders than non-IDPs. Special attention should be paid to the population experiencing internally displacement securing their surrounding and providing psychosocial support.