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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Rehabilitation of torture survivors in five countries: Common themes and challenges
International Journal of Mental Health Systems, Volume 4, Article 16, Year 2010
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Description
Background: Torture continues to be a global problem and there is a need for prevention and rehabilitation efforts. There is little available data on torture survivors from studies designed and conducted by health professionals in low income countries. This study is a collaboration between five centres from Gaza, Egypt, Mexico, Honduras and South Africa who provide health, social and legal services to torture survivors, advocate for the prevention of torture and are part of the network of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).Methods: Socio-demographic, clinical and torture exposure data was collected on the torture survivors attending the five centres at presentation and then at three and six month follow-up periods. This sample of torture survivors is presented using a range of descriptive statistics. Change over time is demonstrated with repeated measures analysis of variance.Results: Of the 306 torture survivors, 23% were asylum seekers or refugees, 24% were socially isolated, 11% in prison. A high level of traumatic events was experienced. 64% had suffered head injury whilst tortured and 24% had ongoing torture injury problems. There was high prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress as well as medically unexplained somatic symptoms. The analysis demonstrates a modest drop in symptoms over the six months of the study.Conclusions: Data showed that the torture survivors seen in these five centres had high levels of exposure to torture events and high rates of clinical symptoms. In order to provide effective services to torture survivors, health professionals at torture rehabilitation centres in low income countries need to be supported to collect relevant data to document the needs of torture survivors and to evaluate the centres' interventions. © 2010 McColl et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
McColl, Helen
Denmark, Copenhagen
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
Higson-Smith, Craig
South Africa, Johannesburg
South African Institue for Traumatic Stress
Gjerding, Sarah
Denmark, Copenhagen
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
Omar, Mostafa H.
Egypt, Cairo
El Nadim Centre for the Management and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence
Rahman, Basma A.
Egypt, Cairo
El Nadim Centre for the Management and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence
Hamed, Mona
Egypt, Cairo
El Nadim Centre for the Management and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence
El-Dawla, Aeida Seif
Egypt, Cairo
El Nadim Centre for the Management and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence
Fredericks, Miriam
South Africa, Cape Town
Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture
Paulsen, Nicole
South Africa, Cape Town
Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture
Shabalala, Gugu
South Africa, Cape Town
Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture
Low-Shang, Carmen
South Africa, Cape Town
Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture
Perez, Fernando V.
Mexico
Collective Against Torture and Impunity
Colin, Liliana S.
Mexico
Collective Against Torture and Impunity
Hernandez, Aurora D.
Mexico
Collective Against Torture and Impunity
Lavaire, Eliomara
Honduras
Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Their Relatives
Zuñiga, Arely P.A.
Honduras
Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Their Relatives
Calidonio, Lucia
Honduras
Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Their Relatives
Martinez, Carmen L.
Honduras
Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Their Relatives
Jamei, Yasser Abu
Israel, Gaza Strip
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
Awad, Zeyad
Israel, Gaza Strip
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
Statistics
Citations: 47
Authors: 20
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1752-4458-4-16
e-ISSN:
17524458
Research Areas
Disability
Mental Health
Violence And Injury
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Egypt
South Africa