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Elucidating Mental Health Disorders among Rohingya Refugees: A Malaysian Perspective

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  • Kushilpal Kaur

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Chee Kok Yoon

    (Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Service, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur 50586, Malaysia)

  • Aili Hanim Hashim

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Manveen Kaur

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Koh Ong Hui

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Zuraida Ahmad Sabki

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Benedict Francis

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Sarbhan Singh

    (Institute for Medical Research (IMR), Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur 50588, Malaysia)

  • Jesjeet Singh Gill

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

Abstract

Mental health disorders (MHDs) among refugees has been recognized as a major public health issue. However, to date, there is limited evidence on the prevalence of MHDs among Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and associated factors of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. A total of 220 refugees were randomly selected to participate in this cross-sectional study, conducted from June 2019 to November 2019. Perceived social support, religious orientation, food security, and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed as independent variables. The dependent variables assessed were MDD, GAD, and PTSD. The prevalence of GAD, PTSD, and MDD was reported at 92 (41.8%), 84 (38.2%), and 71 (32.3%). Several factors were significantly associated with MDD following multivariate analysis such as perceived low to moderate social support (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.13, 4.19) and food insecurity (AOR = 2.77; 95% CI 1.19, 6.47). Exposure to violence (AOR = 38.46; 95% CI 16.27, 90.91) and food insecurity (AOR = 3.74; 95% CI 1.41, 9.91) were significantly associated with PTSD. Addressing these risk factors could be key in improving mental health outcomes among this vulnerable population.

Suggested Citation

  • Kushilpal Kaur & Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman & Chee Kok Yoon & Aili Hanim Hashim & Manveen Kaur & Koh Ong Hui & Zuraida Ahmad Sabki & Benedict Francis & Sarbhan Singh & Jesjeet Singh Gill, 2020. "Elucidating Mental Health Disorders among Rohingya Refugees: A Malaysian Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6730-:d:414046
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emma Motrico & Jose A. Salinas-Perez & Maria Luisa Rodero-Cosano & Sonia Conejo-Cerón, 2021. "Editors’ Comments on the Special Issue “Social Determinants of Mental Health”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    2. Stacey A Shaw & ChenYing Lee & Maryam Ahmadi & Hamid Karim Shor Muluk & Zakaria Mohamed Jibril & Latifa Ahmadi & Lynette Randall & Chongming Yang & Louisa Gilbert, 2023. "A randomized controlled trial testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a mental health Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment among refugees in Malaysia," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(8), pages 1898-1908, December.

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