Perceived needs, self-reported health and disability among displaced persons during an armed conflict in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Most internally displaced persons (IDPs) live in low-income countries and have experienced war. Few studies have assessed their psychosocial needs and disability. We carried out a comprehensive assessment of perceived needs, self-reported health, and disability among IDPs in Nepal and examined factors associated with disability.

METHOD: A cross-sectional survey among 290 IDPs in Nepal was conducted between June and July 2003. We used the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule-II (WHO-DAS II) with additional local items to assess disability symptoms and a separate checklist to identify their perceived needs. Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Check List (HSCL-25), while the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C) was used to assess Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

RESULTS: Different perceived needs such as financial help (70%), housing (40%), food and education for their children (20%) were expressed by the IDPs. Self-reported health status was strongly associated with distress and disability scores. Factors independently associated with disability were higher age, self-reported health, depression, anxiety but not PTSD. There was good correlation between WHO-DAS II and the locally identified items of disability measurement.

CONCLUSIONS: The reporting of findings only about psychiatric symptoms is insufficient in studying the mental health of displaced and potentially traumatized populations living in low-income countries. Assessments of perceived needs and factors associated with disability give a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying needs among crisis populations, and this can inform intervention programs. Depression and anxiety should be treated effectively to avoid disability.